Elnor yawned his way through the next day's blur of classes, grateful he'd talked with Zani, but also wishing he hadn't neglected his studies for even a single night. Tonight he'd be pulling double duty with the books and still be tired for the next day. After nearly falling asleep over his evening meal with Nathan, he excused himself to go back to his room to study. However, once there, he felt off balance. Something was missing from his life and it wasn't dating. Having always worked as hard or harder physically as he did mentally, Elnor realized he'd been spending far too much time sitting in front of computer terminals. Yes, Starfleet did have rigorous physical fitness requirements and the training to make sure students met those requirements. That wasn't enough for Elnor. He felt the need to go for a good run. Somewhere real, not in a holodeck. Somewhere where things could happen that weren't programmed ahead of time. Surely such places must exist on Earth.
Elnor checked with the computer. He was gratified to find that a number of hiking and running trails ran through the mountains outside of San Francisco. Choosing one that looked challenging, but not beyond him, Elnor took a public flyer to the start of the trail and headed out. He'd replicated what the computer assured him was proper running attire, but he still felt out of place without his tan qalanq at his back. Someday, he was sure, he'd be somewhere where it was considered appropriate for him to always have it with him again. Starfleet was his life for now, but somewhere deep down inside part of him knew that wouldn't always be the case. He wasn't sure how he knew that, but he did. Putting that thought aside, Elnor started out on the trail.
Elnor was breathing hard when he reached the top about an hour later. Looking around from the flat summit, he realized he was completely alone and that the view was truly stunning. Large birds, similar to those from Vashti which he'd been daydreaming of so recently, called to him from the sky. Before he could fully catch his breath, he started working through the motions of the training exercises the Qowat Milat had first started teaching him so long ago. The familiar motions calmed him as his mind and body found balance.
An hour later, back in his room and fresh out of the shower having needed to wash off the sweat and trail dust from his run, Elnor felt rejuvenated. Now he felt right about getting back to his studies and ready for the next day. He turned on the computer screen and sat down for a long night of work.