"Precognition is troubling, yeah. It's like, given the amount of precognition going on, we might be in a precog's head? And also there is absolutely zero point worrying about it because that will just make me miserable."

She shrugs. "Yeah, in the long run it doesn't really matter."

"I might go for precog eventually, but it's not on the priorities list. I'm studying up on virtualities first."

"What made you decide on this?"

"Honestly, mostly because going into virtuality myself was not particularly fun. I mean, I'm sure it's better than starving in the wilderness, but..."

"It must be. At least the part where no one's set on fire."

"I was not a fan of the 'waste away to skin and bones' bit. Not that I'm super athletic, but it felt, uh. Pathetic."

"As far as I know that's because current psionic tech can't really handle, like, a really dedicated and full-power recently eclipsed so they have to keep us on the low carb ensure diet."

"Exactly. And buffing that up - cheaply - would help too."

She nods. "Do you have any more classes today?"

"Yeah, uh, Stats after lunch. And you?"

"I'll only start having any classes when the next semiquarter starts in a few days, so for now I'm just meeting people and getting to know the place. And working on magic."

Nod. "Both pretty solid uses of time. I was wondering why you were here."

"It's like half the reason this school exists at all, right? Networking." For a certain value of networking that involves a lot of fluttering eyelashes at the cute dom.

"Uh, yeah, well. Networking. Sounds like something stuck-up lawyers and CEOs do."

"Well, you could also phrase it as making friends and getting to know people who will understand what you're going through and who can nerd about magic with you?"

"Yeah, that's a much better way to put it. Less suave dom con-man vibes, at least for me."

"I don't distinguish them much in my head. Meeting people is fun, regardless of the goal and the way I phrase it."

"Well, the word doesn't- My fancy lawyer brother says 'networking' a lot. And I'm not too terribly fond."

"Fair enough. I'll refrain."

"Uh, I mean, you don't- Have to. Uh. But thanks."

And it's, finally, time for class. "I've got to go to class. See you later? Uh, if you want."

"Absolutely see you later," she says, grinning up at him. "It was nice meeting you."

"Likewise."

And off Terry goes, out of the cafeteria and to class, still not sure how to deal with flirting except 'ignore it'.

And a couple of days later Sadde gets a job in the library and will be found there a lot of the time.

That cute dom from a few days ago happens to return the sci-fi book Sadde recommended, looking absentminded and a bit twitchy.