Sudden Avoidance

Posted on Thu Nov 3rd, 2022 @ 8:47am by Consul Josephine Carlyle-Cragen & Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Corridors
Timeline: late August 2397
505 words - 1 OF Standard Post Measure

Arrianna left her quarters one morning to go to what she usually did, It was a voluntary but it gave Arri something to do during her recovery. She spent hours in Astrometrics cataloging surveys from deep space science vessels, so there was no danger in running into her. Breaking her word to Phoenix.. Which was impossible to do if she ever crossed paths with her on the Elysium.

Josephine was taking a walk, having found it hard to sleep due to her pregnancy, and she often walked the decks in the early morning. She rounded the corner and paused as she spotted Arrianna walking straight down the halls.

Arrianna paused.. For what seemed like forever. She looked at her. She couldn't talk to her, not yet, as she was still dealing with things. But Josie could see it in her eyes. This was Arrianna, not Flossie. Her hair was back to the usual length. But her expression told Josie she was dealing with things. Arrianna took several steps back.. scared.. She was trying to press forward in her life, but what could be said without words. She was madly in love with Josie.. But she needed time.

Josie raised her chin. Arrianna was not the only one dealing but by what right did Arrianna have to flinch from her? If Josephine could stand there without flinching in the face of the woman who had hurt her, then frankly, she broke off her thoughts and turned on her heel and walked away. It was best they didn't speak after all.

Arrianna felt the storm of her thoughts. She then remembered what Phoenix had said. She had to find the courage, she had to push through all the shame and regret. Suddenly. She pushed hard in her mind.

"Josie......" she then began to look at her. Without flinching. Fighting to push out of the fear, regret, pain. It didn't matter anymore. She faced pain yes. But not as much as Josie. She needed to look her in the eyes, always.

"no" came Josie's reply. "No." she repeated. Her own feelings she shoved down. "Not now." And she continued heading back towards her cabin.

Arrianna sighed. She turned around and walked away, walking to the furthest part of the ship. Climbing into a Jefferies tube.. She started to stay there. Shedding tear after tear in the tube. Wondering when everything would be alright. "Avalon."

"Yes Commander?"

"I need you to create a program so I can have no contact with Josephine Carlyle." Arrianna noted. "Better to have loved and lost... than to not love at all." She dropped her engagement ring in the jefferies tube. She then discarded the combadge she once had. "I will find love again. Not now.. Not this century." She pushed herself up and exited the jefferies tube. Leaving an engagement ring and a combadge she showed Josie when they met in the tube. This part of her life was over.

Avalon acknowledged Arrianna and did as requested. She didn't understand biologicals at times.