"I don't think it'll be a big problem. Pun not intended," White Fire said.

"Do you have a lover back on your world?" Blue Fire asked.

"Not currently," m-Taa said. "I had some relationships in college, but couldn't maintain them while doing my research.  My people don't do well with long-distance relationships."

"All right," said Rah.  "Well... if you don't mind... uh, my other issue is the risk of memories of my, uh, late ex coming up.  It's been a year and change, but..."

"I'll help you in anyway I can," White Fire said.

"I suppose not. What kind of range do your powers have?" Blue Fire asked.

"Just be understanding," said Rah.  "They tell me that it just takes time."

"About the range of hearing," m-Taa said. "We can sense normal emotions from someone in the same or next room, more or less, while stronger emotions are like shouting.  Someone you're attuned to you can sense at a longer range, kind of like how mammals are attuned to the sound of their children."

"I'll do everything I can do to help," White Fire said.

"Ah, I thought maybe the powers would help a long distance relationship. Looks like I was wrong," Blue Fire said.

"We have trouble relating to people when we can't sense their emotions," m-Taa said. "It's okay for normal communications, but staying in touch over a subspace link feels wrong.  Same reason we prefer live theater to vids."

"Thank you," said Rah.  "So... uh, yeah.  Us.  We can do that."

"Ah, that does make sense," Blue Fire said. "I hadn't considered that."

"That's good. I'm happy," White Fire said.

"So what's your tradition on these occasions?" Rah asked.

"I'm not opposed to the idea down the line, though," m-Taa added.

"I don't really know. They never explained it to us," White Fire said.

"Ah. Got your eye (mind's eye?) on someone?" Blue Fire asked.

"Well, I mean in your home," said Rah.  "When you date someone."

"Not especially," m-Taa said, "just keeping my options open."

"That is what I mean. They didn't want us dating," White Fire said.

"Ah. A sensible approach," Blue Fire said.

"What?" said Rah, baffled.  "Why not?  We were the protectors of our entire world, and nobody expected us to be single."

"Religious reasons, I think," White Fire said.

"Does your religion have one of those weird chastity things or something?" Rah asked.  "Uh, sorry if that came across as judgy.  I just don't understand that kind of thing."  Koja, or even Solism in general, certainly didn't hold to that kind of practice.