Calling Seph
Bethany stood staring at the message on the flimsy paper in her hands. The ship's communications officer had brought it to her personally, finding her in the kitchen attached to the ballroom where the members of the Orchid Grower's Society would gather later for their annual function. Seeing that it was sent by Dani made her less worried, but no less concerned. She looked up at the young man and forced a small smile, thanking him for bringing it. "Is there any way I can send a message to Babylonia immediately?" she asked, relieved when the young man nodded. The young man held out a small pad and pen he was carrying. "I can write it down if you prefer?" he offered, noticing she was still holding the flimsy paper.
"Yes, please, if you would," she told him and started to recite.
"To Persephone Solari: It seems we won't be able to make it over tonight. Would you be able to come over instead? It seems Anika has been asked to help out on Avalon, and can't tell me how long she'll be there. If you're able to come visit I would greatly appreciate it," she told him, managing to remain calm and poised as she recited. She knew she couldn't say anything more, not even about the rumours she'd been hearing regarding an upcoming mission. The rumours were disjointed and none really related but there were enough of them to indicate either something was coming up, or someone was wanting to put everyone on edge. She had thought it was the latter until she'd heard about the lower decks on the ship being cordoned off and now this.
She thanked the young man as he read the message back and told her he'd call and confirm when he knew the message had been received on Babylonia and immediately there was a response.
Anika and Bethany had been supposed to go and visit Seph that evening, the invitation sent by the young woman in her beautifully elegant hand writing on paper that had been hand made through the twins' co-op. She had been nervously looking forward to it despite her usual reluctance to leave the Shangri-La. Now, without Anika to take her across there was no way Bethany would be leaving the enormous cruiser, her well hidden fear of space far too entrenched now to allow her to leave the security of her home for the last eight years unless she was with Anika. She inhaled slowly and deeply, holding it for a few seconds before releasing it slowly, counting silently to herself as she steadied herself.
"You alright Miss?" the young waitress asked, seeing Bethany standing there still after the comms officer had left.
It brought her back to her world, her safety zone and she turned, a little pale but collected again and nodded. "Yes, thanks you Zoe, just looks like my plans for the evening have changed, so I'll be here if needed."