The Prodigious Nim, Part Seventeen

By now, it had been well established in Melisa's mind that one of the few ways she could ignore her body's needs was to be distracted. 

And, right now, the biggest distraction was the fact that in that classroom, with her at that moment, just a seat away, was Raven Nightsong, a woman Javir suspected of being dangerous. 

[Could she really be some sort of hidden spy or something? But, even if she is, her intentions aren't necessarily nefarious, are they?] 

"Cuuuuz, you're so distant all of a sudden!" Isabella whined as she sat on Melisa's lap. The professor had yet to arrive. "I didn't... scare you, did I?" She asked with a little smirk. 

"Huh? N-No, I..." Melisa looked away. "I'm just thinking." 

"Mhm?" 

[What if... What if she is some sort of old, experienced fighter? I mean, she got that scar on her face from somewhere. Maybe- ACK!] 

Isabella had leaned forward and dragged the tip of her tongue up the side of Melisa's face.