Valorie approached the Captain’s office with slow steps. What seemed like a good idea in writing, now seemed like bold monopolization of the Captain’s time. There were two people in the room. One was Quinns, so the other one had to be Gareth. When she was close enough to pick up any feelings, she reached out to see what she was walking into.

Nostalgia, from both of them. They were thinking of the same memory. Even when memories were at the forefront of a person’s mind, they were hard to make out. Valorie paused in the hall before the door and focused. The vague images were similar from both Quinns and the Captain. She could only put together two things. They were in the halls of the Helianthus, looking over a brightly colored plastic gun.

Valorie stepped toward the office, and the door slid open. The room was small with a large desk at the center and shelves along the walls. They held a variety of collectibles including paper books, models, and ore samples. All rare things to see on a ship. The desk was neat with everything in straight lines, except a small glass on one side.

Quinns was talking as she entered. He was leaning against one of the shelves next to the desk with a similar glass in his hand. Gareth was sitting in the chair behind the desk, but he was facing Quinns.

“I can’t believe Yulia found it in there, I thought for sure your mom would throw it out after all that.” He looked at the ceiling as he spoke, a grin on his face.

“You could always dig it up again to make sure,” Gareth said.

“I wouldn’t go that far. Maybe…” Quinns looked at him and noticed Valorie at the entrance. He didn’t panic as he had before. He looked to the Captain and nodded in Valorie’s direction. Gareth turned in his chair and smiled at her. His face was a little red, just like Quinns.

“Ah, Valorie, you made it. Good, good.” Gareth said, straightening his chair. He seemed happy to see her, but his thoughts had a fuzzy quality, like a thick blanket over a speaker. The warmth of his mood melted the tension in her shoulders. “What can I help you with?” He asked. Valorie had to resist looking to the floor. Maybe being straight forward would be best.

“If you wanted to repair a relationship, how would you go about it?” She asked. It didn’t sound the same way out loud, that it did in her head. The wording was off, but Gareth nodded as if he understood. He rubbed his chin as he thought about it. Quinns interrupted.

“That’s a social thing. We’re not the best ones to ask.” Quinns said, “Yulia would be the your best chance. She’s good at that stuff.” The way he spoke reminded her of how comfortable he’d been in text. She started to put the fuzziness of their thoughts and the drinks in their hands together. Quinns was tipsy. He might be right, but she couldn’t talk to Yulia about this. Valorie blushed, looking to the floor.

“Oh, yes. Maybe I’ll, uhm, go ask her.” She said. She stepped back to leave but paused when Gareth spoke.

“Quinns.” His tone was admonishment, and Quinns looked at him with furrowed eyebrows.

“What?” He said, glancing at Valorie before focusing on Gareth again. He didn’t catch on so Gareth continued.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“There may be a reason she is asking us.”

“Oh.” He blushed, crossing his arms, “I’ll shut up.”

“You don’t have to shut up. Just take your time, listen to what is asked, and give an honest answer.” He said.

“How would I repair a relationship?” Quinns focused on Gareth when he spoke, his tone incredulous. He shrugged his shoulders. “I’d avoid’em, Gary. I don’t think that’s what she wants to hear.”

“That’s true.” Gareth nodded, turning back to his desk. His tone had a bit of playfulness as he continued, “On both accounts.” When his eyes met Valorie’s he sobered. “Ah, sorry.” He focused, eyes moving to the ceiling as he thought about her question. She glanced up to see what he might be looking at, but there was nothing special about it. When she looked down, she noticed Quinns imitating Gareth in the same way she had. Caught out, he blushed, laughing nervously with a shrug. She smiled. If Quinns couldn’t figure it out, what chance did she have? Gareth focused on her again.

“I would be honest. Act with integrity. If you do that and it doesn’t work out, you know you put your best foot forward.” As Gareth spoke, Quinns eyebrows went up. “You can’t force someone, but you can be sure you tried.” Gareth nodded, resting his hands on the desk. Quinns tried to hide a smirk by looking away, but he was too slow. Curious, Valorie delved deeper and found a strong sense of pride towards the Captain. She didn’t have time to wonder before Gareth interrupted her thoughts. “Does that help?” He asked.

“Yes, sir.” It was an easy directive with room for variation. It gave her confidence.

“You don’t have to… Just ‘Yes’ would suffice.” Gareth said and Quinns chuckled. “Especially when we are on shore leave.” He added with an annoyed glance at Quinns. Valorie’s eyes widened and she bowed.

“Oh, yes, shore leave. I am sorry for interrupting your time off.” She didn’t give him room to speak. “I will think about your words. Thank you for helping me when you are off duty, sir.” She turned and was out of the room in a flash. Halfway down the hall, her embarrassment finally cooled. Without thinking, she had occupied so much of his time. She patted her cheeks to cool them. She could thank the Captain later. Right now, she needed to put his help to good use.

***

Yulia entered the hallway to the crew quarters and saw Valorie at the other end. She was standing by Yulia’s door, hands clasped over her chest. Same formal wear as every other time Yulia saw her. Hair tied up without a loose strand, white blouse, dark blue pants. No accents. Down to business. Valorie did not step up to the door. Instead, she stood still waiting outside. Maybe she was also too nervous to knock. How funny would it be if they had both been doing that without realizing? Yulia smiled to herself.

Valorie turned and looked straight at Yulia from down the hall. It caught Yulia off guard, and she almost stopped in her steps. Had Valorie heard her coming? No, she must have given up waiting and lucked out when she turned to leave. As Yulia finished her approach, Valorie’s hands went to her sides, and her shoulders straightened. She had reached some resolve.

“Hey Valorie, were you looking for me?” She asked as she reached her. Valorie nodded, green eyes meeting hers.

“Yes. May I speak with you?” Her eyes moved to the floor. “If you don’t mind.” She added. Her speech was formal, her demeanor muted. It was her tone that bothered Yulia the most, as if Valorie had already accepted no for an answer. Yulia frowned, resting a hand on her hip.

“What a silly thing to ask. Course you can, if you’ll look me in the eye when ya do.” She said. Valorie looked up in a hurry, and Yulia was sure she saw a hint of panic. “I mean, either way is fine. We can always talk.” She backpedaled. No, that was too much. “I’m pretty good at doing the talking, so it would be nice to have a break.” She said. That… didn’t sound right either. Normally, she was better at this, right? Talking until she got the words right wasn’t working this time. The way Valorie looked at her with such determination, Yulia thought she must be on the edge of some revelation. All Yulia had to do was fill the air until Valorie got the nerve. She looked at the door to her room, and got an idea.