(snip)

Sisnil was already in the lounge, sitting at a table in the corner, by himself, his back towards the wall. There was a partly empty plate of food in front of him. He sensed Dee as she entered, looked up, and smiled. “Over here, if you want, Dee.”

~ Zoi

Dradvia’s whole mood lifted when she saw him, and her heart raced when he smiled at her. She made her way to the replicator. She ordered water and toast with some kind of nutty fruit spread. She wasn’t feeling much like eating, but this would be a decent place to start.

She tried not to pause as she turned toward the tables. She wanted to sit with him, but she was afraid. Sisnil could tell she wasn’t afraid of him, but about him. She was worrying her nerves over how he was going to react, how she would react, how she had hurt him. She was sorry, but she couldn’t change the decision. The guilt and shame tormented her. He asked her to sit, but why? Obligation? Pity? Kindness?

She went, not because she had promised, not to prove anything, but because she was drawn like a magnet. Why that was she wasn’t willing to think about. She stopped at the seat across from him, “Are, um, are you sure?” He could feel the apology, but she didn’t utter it because she couldn’t change it, and she didn’t want to mislead him. “I know I upset you earlier. I hurt you.” She sounded as tormented as she felt.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. I’m fine, and I’m not angry at you.” He pointed to the seat as he took a bite. “Sit.”

~ Zoi

Dradvia sat instantly, a reflex to the pointed offer. Sisnil wasn’t ordering her, she knew that, but she was having a bad emotion day. She also didn’t think he was fine. She knew Sisnil wouldn’t yell at her. She doubted he had ever yelled in his life. He didn’t need to yell. She hated confrontation of any kind. People became unpredictable when they were angry and hurt. If they weren’t unpredictable, they were terrifying. She had a feeling Sisnil was the latter type.

She knew she had hurt him, but he was acting like nothing had happened. That was easy enough. Dradvia didn’t want to bring it up at all. She concentrated on her food instead. After a moment she spoke. “How’s Simon?” She didn’t know what else to ask or say.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer