Take my heater

Posted on Tue Mar 7th, 2023 @ 6:14am by Consul Josephine Carlyle-Cragen & Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar

Mission: Season 6 : Episode 1: Circinus
Location: Josephine's tent
Timeline: MD10
711 words - 1.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Arrianna still had some bruises and a sling on her left arm as she carried a heater to what was Josie's tent. The Ambient Temperature without the heater in her tent was quite comfortable for an Alindari, as such, she decided to put the heater to better use. Approaching the tent, she tapped it.

Josie, dressed warmly against the cold, opened the tent flap and all but froze. "Commander Salannis an Vantar" She said her voice calm. They had barely seen each other.

Arri entered and walked up to her. Looking her in the eyes, it was different from before, She put the heater down before her. Staring into her eyes. "I am so glad you are alright.. I know you need time, as much as you want, but I had to know.. We lost so many people. Almost half the crew.." She noted. "I know you need time.. but I had to know."

She gestured at the heater. "It's too warm for me, I'm from a tundra world with mountain meadows and majestic mountains. I thought you and the baby needed it." She was truly Arrianna, the compassion and calmness in her voice.

Josie studied Arrianna carefully as she spoke and then inclined her head at her. "Thank you." She said simply. "I know this is hard on you, its not easy for me either. "

"I want nothing more than to take you into my arms, and tell you it will be alright, tell you we will get through this, Phoenix is right. We both need to heal. We both need time, we need to trust the counselors to help us. And we need to trust Phoenix and Gary." Arri noted. "I came this evening to make sure you, and the baby, is alright. I could not do otherwise, and I was worried sick when Phoenix told us the casualty report. We lost nearly half the crew."

Josie's stance tightened when Arri spoke of hugging her. "Liberty and I are fine. The doctors checked us over and we are perfectly healthy. " her child had a name and she was determined to use it. "Arrianna I am still not used to being where I am. I see, well saw the counselors regularly and need to continue to do so. As much as my feelings have not changed towards you, you need to know, I may not be able to return to a relationship with anyone for a long while." She was being honest with Arri. She was scared deeply and she wanted to be strong if and when she took up a relationship. "I seem to have a habit of entering relationships out of dark places and trauma and I do not want that for either of us. We both need to come out of this and be strong."

Arrianna nodded. "Yes.. We need to be strong for each other." She noted. "I am deeply in love with you, and I want it to feel right.. To feel good. To feel right. I'm scared Josie.. When you saw me in the corridor, I was scared.. And I will need time to be at peace again. I was not ashamed of you or myself. I was scared. We do small steps." She shed a tear. "I love you.. I hope one day you will say it back to me without fear." Arri turned to leave, tears in her eyes. "I will be faithful to you .. unto the last day of my life." She left the tent. Tears streaming from her.

'I'll focus on survival, I always have.. Best not to let love hurt me again.' Arrianna thought to herself. 'I can't see her, unless she is not scared of me. I can't live through this heartbreak again. I just can't do it. I can't. I don't want to be alone.. Josie... Why are you so scared of me... I fought for you.. Well now you will have to earn my heart back. I love you, but I can't be hurt by you.' Tears turned to ice on her face. Like her heart.

Josie watched her go and clenched her fists. The guilt was shoved down. She needed to make sure she was well before she could worry about Arri.

OFF