Kymie Abaforad hip-checked the activation button to prompt the voice command required to enter the office of Dr. Niall Freeman. The feminine robotic voice politely requested name and authorization for whom ever was about to enter the room. Kymie wore a simple checkered plaid shirt and had her hair tied up and braided in a sloppy tail, she had a denim looking skirt and stockings with white runners. She was modest in appearance, wore little makeup and had unpainted nails that while not unkempt, were far from taken care of; most of them were the same length, chewed slightly but belonged to soft delicate hands that smelt of fruit.

The young assistant had one arm full of books, and standing astute and observant in her right palm was the well-dressed clean shaven Belfast Native. Kymie lifted her hand level with the scanning light as Dr. Freeman spoke into the intercom.

“Freeman, Niall…voice code confirm….” Niall waited patiently for the polite robotic voice to confirm his voice pattern and identity as a red light ran over him, eventually turning to green.

“Welcome Dr. Freeman, you may enter your office…have a good day.”

Niall smiled, he loved hearing the computers say that…Dr. Freeman, it felt so good to be acknowledged for who he was and what he had accomplished.

(“Darren, I really hate to interrupt you yet again but have we perhaps gone off on a tangent?” Pryvani chimed in as she sat back against the glowing blue and green gondola like contraption that skimmed just over the water’s surface.

Darren sighed and ran his hand down his face, they had at least moved to someplace dry so he was no longer being pelted with water. But here she went interrupting him yet again. “Ah am sure yer very gat-dang sorry.” Darren grumbled.

“Oh, it’s not that I don’t enjoy listening to your story telling, you’ve quite the gift. But perhaps we could stay on topic? Not that I have anything against the good Dr. Freeman.” Pryvani grinned.

“Look Paris Hilton, Ah am very well on gat-dang topic alright? If you’d use yer noggin you’d know that EVERYTHING ah say is relevant, ya jus’gotta sit still long enough fer all the connections’t fall into place.” Darren narrowed his eyed at the elegant Titaness above him, he was sitting on her lap leaning against her soft stomach, one of her hands was cementing him in place while the other was idling at her side, her nails drumming against the seat with which she sat.

“Please, by all means continue.” Pryvani chuckled to herself softly and brushed her thumb across Darren’s cheek. He really was adorable when he was angry.

“No more interruptions!” Darren swatted her thumb away, or at least tried to.

“Now that I can’t promise you my dear.” Pryvani raised a brow and send Darren a clever look.

“Don’t make me swat you…jus cuz yer a bagillionaire don’t mean ah won’t!” Darren narrowed his eyes.

“You were saying?” Pryvani ribbed him on and rolled her eyes. She was almost sorry she had cut him off in the first place…almost.)

Kymie waited for the door to slide open and stumbled into the neat and tidy office, it was built to Titan scale, with human sized electronics on the spacious desk in the corner.

“Just on the desk Kymie, will be fine.” Niall spoke assertively yet kindly. Kymie was a sweet girl, she reminded him so much of Naskia a few years ago. She was soft spoken, shy but had a heart of gold. He trusted her with his life, and so did Naskia. Having her to escort him around campus, and gopher for him made his life much easier. She seemed to do so eagerly, and was paid fairly for her services. Kymie, for the most part didn’t seem to mind being the first Titan officially employed under a Human being, she had come to him with an open mind and a respectable outlook on humanity, and she had only grown by leaps and bounds the more exposure she received. Niall wished more Titan’s were as open minded as Kymie.

“You’re next lecture is in three cycles, and you have a meeting with the Head Master Lufty this afternoon. I’ve pushed back all your meetings because I know how much Head Master Lufty likes to chat your ear off!” Kymie snorted a laugh as she set her hand down on the desk, and let her data pad text’s fall a short ways away from where Niall was standing.

Niall winced at the crash-boom from the dropped electronic tablets, and half smiled as he hopped off the Titan’s hand. “You’re doll lass; don’t know what I’d do without you!” Niall winked.

Kymie sat on a black spinning chair on the guest end of Dr. Freeman’s desk, and pulled one of her tablets from the pile, she began to thumb through the text, her eyes downcast as Niall made himself comfortable at his human sized desk that sat atop the Titan sized one. After a long moment of silence Niall looked up from his scaled-down Data pad.

“Kymie, you have plenty of time before my next Lecture…you don’t have to stay about if you don’t want to.” Niall didn’t mind the company, but like most Titan’s he’d ever met, Kymie was a wee bit over protective. He found it humorous, if not a bit annoying.

“Oh…I have nowhere important to be right now; just studying a bit is all.” The dirty blond haired girl smiled wistfully and looked back down to her text.

Niall narrowed his eyes; if he didn’t know better he’d swear Naskia had this girl better trained than he did! “Kymie, maybe I didn’t make myself clear…you really don’t have to stick around for two hours…I’m quite able to contact you if I need to go anywhere.” Niall kept his tone friendly, she was shy and he didn’t want to make her upset. She was a crier.

Kymie smiled bashfully and set her pad down, she nervously stood and adjusted her skirt, she even dressed like Naskia, and the resemblance was almost creepy. “Oh…well I just didn’t want to leave you alone is all….” Kymie looked down, expecting a typical lecture from the good Dr.

“Kymie my dear…I’m a big boy now…and I’m quite able to take care of myself for a few hours in this big scary office.” Niall laughed and gave his head a shake, she was actually adorable. It was hard to combat the dotting and fussy nature of the Titans, even the benevolent ones could be damn near smothering. It was a welcomed reaction however, as he had expected his tenure as Professor to have been met with hostility, in truth most of his students watched over him like he was their own. It was unnerving, and a little bit demeaning. But Titan’s would be Titan’s.

“I’m sorry…I’ll go get some lunch…would you like anything on my way back?” Kymie winced, trying to keep herself composed.

“Nothing, I’m gonna wait and eat with Nas when she’s done her class, but thanks. Now off with you ya bloody harpy!” Niall laughed and watched Kymie fumble with a few pads, and then quickly stumble out of his office.

“And leave the door open…it gets a wee bit stuffy in here with it closed, alright?”

“Sure thing Dr. Freeman!” Kymie shouted as she made her way down the hall.

Niall chuckled and looked down to his pad. “Good kid.”

Niall kept silent as he worked at his pad, a scaled down data pad that fit in his hand perfectly, like it was built just for him. It was another gift from his mysterious benefactor, who had among other things paid for the house they lived in, and to this day had not stopped attempting to lure him in to work for her. She was an extremely persistent person, the sort that was difficult to refuse, but he was doing a stand up job with it so far.

“Dr. Freeman, a moment of your time?” A low feminine contralto voice broke Niall from his work with a jolt. He had not even taken notice of the shadow that had encompassed him as he worked. Niall often spaced out when he was working, a heard of wild elephants could have torn through his office and not woken him, in fact a Titan woman had managed to all but land on top of him and he only now noticed her.

Her’s was a face he would never forget, she had dark raven hair that was long and tied back in an elegant cross braided tail, her face was adorned with pale freckles that contrast her milky skin, she had a small nose and emerald green eyes. Her smoky eyeliner and neat modest makeup was well done, neat and professional. She was dressed in a black cardigan with a white and blue under shirt, modest length black skirt and stockings that came up past her ankle, white ones that made her black loafers shine, with a golden buckle to complete the ensemble. Niall could not recall her name, but her angular alluring eyes were all too familiar. She watched him, from the front row of his evening mid-week lecture. She didn’t watch him like the other students did, she watched him, and never seemed to blink. He recognized her from various clubs and school social groups. She was a face you saw often around Tanhouser University.

Niall was startled and dropped his pad on his desk, he looked up disheartened by the bold voice, upfront attitude and disrespect of personal boundaries his new guest seemed to have. She loomed over him almost menacingly, with such an air of confidence it made Niall anxious, confused and thrown off his guard.

“Oh, I didn’t hear you come in…miss?” Niall attempted to speak with confidence, he stood up for that tiny little extra bit of height, but he felt incredible small in her shadow. Something he hadn’t felt in a long time, very very small.

“Keeran Leffen.” The student spoke quickly, her voice dripped with buoyancy, she stood tall, she spoke fast, and she was out there, a real in your face type-A person. Niall could pick all of this up from just a few moments in her company. Even her name seemed familiar now, it was written on posters for student council, and she was the president of the Tanhouser chapter of the Young Scholars of Archavia…and a straight honor roll student.

“Aye, well Keeran, I’m a wee bit busy right now…but if you’d like a sit down you can leave a message with my assistant, maybe we can set up a time later in the week?” Niall rubbed the back of his neck, he didn’t feel frightened yet, he had no reason to be. But she was putting him in an awkward situation and he felt a little vulnerable.

“I won’t take long; I have a few questions I think you can help me with.” Keeran spoke leaving little room to argue and sat down with her rear on the edge of the titan sized desk. Niall backed away as the desk rumbled from the impact. He only got so far before her long slender fingers snaked out and wrapped around him quickly, her grip was strong and winded him.

“Miss, I really must protest….” Niall’s words were stolen as he was whipped before her, at lower chest level, she looked down at him and leaned against the wall the desk was up against. He could breath, but he had to catch his breath first.

“Don’t be silly Dr. Freeman, this won’t take long at all.” Keeran spoke as if she were dismissing the silly notions of a disobedient child.

Niall thought of struggling…thought of it…but he couldn’t really find the state of mind to do anything but stare up at his accoster, with a baffled look.

“I’m in the process of eliminating possibilities for my midterm case study, I am studying foreign cultures and I have my choices narrowed down to a few unique and untapped alien worlds. I’ve decided I might focus my attention on Earth, and since you are from there I think you’d be a valuable specimen! I was hoping you’d answer a few preliminary questions for me, and if all goes well maybe I can borrow you for a few weeks while I write my thesis?” Keeran spoke down to Niall, she didn’t exactly sound like she was asking as much as she was telling him. “Archavia is void of very many humans who are from Earth, I think studying you and where you come form would be a unique once in a life time opportunity, you understand why I’m hesitant to turn that down right?”

Niall wanted to speak, he wanted to chew her out and protest but he could hardly get two words out, he was absolutely dumbfounded. He felt insignificant and weak. His eyes continuingly drifted to the door, he longed for Naskia to walk through those doors, he begged silently for her. He suddenly felt very stupid for sending Kymie away.

“The very clear differences between Archavian born Human’s and Earth born Humanity has always fascinated me, I’ve been auditing your course and I’ve learned a lot by watching you, and your mannerisms. Isn’t anthropology amazing? You can learn a lot about a specimen by just watching them Dr. Freeman.” Keeran began to stroke Niall atop the head as she went on, her grip didn’t losten, and she showed no signs of moving.

Niall felt humiliated, he was being petted, PETTED! Studied and examined like a specimen? He was a physics professor, he had earned the love and affection of a Titan woman, he had proved his worth! He was no specimen, he was no object to be studied by some entitled little prissy snob!

“Miss Leffen, I demand you put me down.” Niall spoke with aggression on his voice, before he was bewildered, now he was angry!

“Relax, I’m just trying to make you comfortable!” Keeran’s voice rung in loudly, with a condescending and trite snap. “I have a few questions it won’t take long; I suppose we should start with the planet itself? Can you describe for me a little bit about your world? Population, geography, Climate?” Keeran set the hand that held Niall on her right thigh, Niall was uncomfortably rested on his side, her fingers locked around him like a vice. With her free hand she reached into her breast pocket and pulled out a small Data pad. “I’d like to take a few pictures of your physiology as well, you know…to compare it to domestic stock.” Keeran spoke, as if it had all already been decided.

“Miss, this is inappropriate! I am a member of this institutions faculty and it is against the rules to undress faculty! Now kindly take your hands off me at once!” Niall shouted, he wanted nothing more than to burst out of her grip and escort her out of his office personally.

“You’re cute when you’re angry. Now hold still I’m gonna scan you for medical information.” Keeran almost giggled as she held Niall under what was clear to him now, a Medical information pad.

“I do not give you permission to attain that information! Miss Leffen don’t force me to repot you to the Dean of Students!” Niall was feeling very nervous now, his anger was ebbing away, he was starting to feel uneasy, and worried.

“Dr. Freeman I almost forgot, Head Master Lufty wanted me to….” Kymie froze as she approached Niall’s office, her jaw dropped as the sight before her, a panicked looked creped onto her face and she tensed up, shrinking a little. “W…what’s going on here? Dr. Freeman are you ok?”

“Kymie…I…” Niall didn’t know what to say, he wanted to scream for help, but his pride prevented that. He felt so low, so violated he wanted nothing more for both of them to just leave. Having Kymie see him like this was embarissing.

“Oh, hey…Kymie Abaforad right?” Keeran spoke nonchalant as she ran the scanner over Dr. Freeman, within seconds information about his blood type, his DNA, his medical history…everything began to download onto the hand held pad in Keeran’s hand.

“What are you doing to Dr. Freeman?” Kymie stammered nervously.

“Kymie I’d appreciate….” Niall began, but Keeran’s louder voice cut him off sharply.

“Just getting some data, I’m going to study Dr. Freeman for my Sociology case study.” Keeran chirped proudly. “You’ll love working with me Dr. Freeman, you’ll see!” The Raven haired Titan winked.

“I don’t think he likes that…you shouldn’t be here….” Kymie wanted to shy away, but she couldn’t leave Niall, not when she knew he was in danger, she owed it to him, it was her job!

“Oh calm down, you’re as bad as Dr. Freeman…this won’t take long then you can have him back.” Keeran waved her hand dismissively.

“Kymie…help….” Niall whispered, shamefully. With every red light that scanned over him, every bleep of the monolithic pad in Keeran’s hand Niall felt more and more used, disregarded, and worthless.

“You heard him…let him go…n…now.” Kymie tried to speak with authority, but it came out shy and meek.

“I will, in a second…I’m almost done.” Keeran sighed.

“No, now!” Kymie spoke up, her voice cracked as she tried to assert herself, a voice that was clearly not used to being heard and asserting itself. “Or I’ll call campus security!” Kymie mumbled.

“Will you cut it out I’m almost done!” Keeran grumbled bitterly.

Kymie groaned to herself and shot across the office to the terminal Naskia Bass used when she was working in Niall’s office, quickly she ran her hand over the screen and began to punch in Campus Security.

“What are you doing?!” Keeran looked up, snappy and sharply.

“Let Dr. Freeman go, or I’ll call security!” Kymie seemed more afraid than Niall, she was shaking a great deal more than him too.

“Urg! I can’t believe you two are making this so difficult.” Keeran swiped her finger over the cancel button, the hand held pad beeped a few times and the screen flashed blank.

“Data incomplete, information not attained, please scan specimen again….” A robotic voice droned in.

“I don’t need to study you’re primitive little culture anyhow!” Keeran spat viciously and released her hold on Niall, he rolled form her hand down her lap towards the desk. It was a long drop, that would have hurt if not for Kymie’s quick reflexes.

“Dr. Freeman! A…are you ok?” Kymie cradled Niall in her hand, she was so focused on Niall, she didn’t notice Keeran gather her things and storm out of the office.

Niall was silent for a moment, he slowly sat up in Kymie’s hand, disoriented and dazed looking, like he had just woken up from a nightmare suddenly and didn’t remember where he was. His eyes drifted around the room for a while until they landed on Kymie.

Kymie looked terrified and concerned, she was clearly fighting the urge to cuddle Niall and stroke his cheek. She just looked down on him, her jaw agape. “W…what do you want me to do….” Kymie asked, lost and confused.

“I…what were you saying about Head Master Lufty?” Niall spoke, slowly, slurred and dryly.

“Never mind that…a..are you ok?” Kymie gave her head a quick shake.

“I’m fine…w…what was the message?” Niall repeated, slowly, like a Zombie.

“I’m calling Naskia!” Kymie kept Niall in his hand and slid across the desk to Naskia’s terminal, quickly looking for her personal contact code.

“She’s in class…don’t bother her.” Niall spoke softly.

“But Dr. Freeman I….”

“Kymie…no just…no. Get me to the holosuite. I need to not feel pathetic.”

Kymie froze, and looked down to Niall, carefully she stood back up, making sure to handle the wounded man in her palm as carefully and delicately as she ever had before. “Ok.” She whispered softly and walked with delicate steps out the office door.