Telling Feyth

Posted on Sat Jan 11th, 2020 @ 7:33am by

Mission: Casperia Prime - A lesson in relaxation
Location: Feyth Railli's Quarters
Timeline: MD6
473 words - 0.9 OF Standard Post Measure

When the doors to her quarters parted, Feyth's face blanched white, near as a ghost, and she reached a hand to the bulkhead to keep herself from falling over.

"Ken..."

Ken Waters smiled at her reaction, uncertain of how much was genuine shock, and how much was for his benefit. "Hey, stranger. Long time no see."

"You're telling me. I haven't talked to you since..." Her voice fell away as she tried to get a handle on how long it had truly been.

"A long, long time," he finished for her. "But I'm here now because I know you're going to hear some news about me soon. And I wanted you to hear about it from me."

Her brow furrowed. "You're scaring me."

And at that he laughed. "No, no. It's nothing like that. It's good news. Great news, actually!"

Feyth tensed. She suspected that Ken's idea of good news would hardly align with hers. Had he been promoted, perhaps to a posting somewhere other than the Elysium? Or had he finally buried the hatchet with his brother? Ever since she that drunken night when she and River had made their mistake, and Ken had found out about the pregnancy -- things had never been the same between them.

"It's Penelope," Ken began. "I mean Phoenix. The Captain." He took a breath. A smile pulled his lips to the corners of his eyes. "We're getting married."

Feyth could only blink. "You're...? What?"

He nodded, his enthusiasm plain. "You said I'd never be able to do it, but for the will of the Prophets, the day has come. I'm settling down and starting a real life."

"That's...so...."

He looked at her expectantly.

"Great!" she finished. And before he could have a moment to consider exactly how odd her response had been, she pulled him into a fierce hug. They stood together, embracing in the corridor outside of her quarters, to the surprised confusion of a passing officer. "I'm so happy for you," she said to him. "This is wonderful news."

He pulled away, holding her at arm's length, his eyes alight with overwhelming joy. "I've never felt like this before. I can't believe this is happening. I still can't even believe she said yes."

She gave him a small smile. "You deserve it. Both of you. You're a great couple."

"Thank you, Railli." He let her go, turning back to the corridor. "I'm really sorry, but I've got a lot of people to tell in person, and I've got to stay ahead of the rumor mill. But let's get together sometime. Soon, okay?"

"Okay."

But he had already started off down the hallway.

She stepped back into her quarters and the doors hissed shut behind her. And she, finally, was able to let go of the smile she had been forcing all along.