Secrets Don't Make Friends
Posted on Fri May 2nd, 2025 @ 4:18am by Ensign Millicent Ambrose & Ensign Astrid Renfield
Edited on on Wed May 7th, 2025 @ 1:52am
2,650 words; about a 13 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: The Quarters of Astrid Renfield & Millicent Ambrose - Deck 3 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD006 1700 hrs
Astrid sat at the table, a warm cup of coffee in hand and a barely contained smirk playing on her lips. When she’d woken up earlier and noticed Millie wasn’t in her bed, curiosity had gotten the better of her. A quick inquiry to the computer had revealed her roommate’s location Sergeant Tyrigus Fry’s quarters.
Astrid had blinked at the answer, not quite expecting that name. It wasn’t the visitor she’d been led to believe existed during their shopping trip. But now, putting two and two together, it was clear something interesting was going on. Definitely not the hook-up I expected she thought.
Now she was simply waiting for Millie to come home, more than ready to have a little fun with this unexpected revelation.
Millie her pocket filled with some small bags of herbs to make tea to help her sleep. She had a song in her heart, and was feeling happy. Now if Astrid were awake, Millie planned on talking to her about having some plants in their quarters. The door opened, and in walked Millie, she just beamed seeing Astrid awake.
"Hi there, glad to see that you are awake, I wanted to talk to you about something." Millie walking over to her shelf to place the tea ingredients upon it.
Astrid looked up from her coffee, a slow, knowing smile spreading across her face as Millie walked in, practically glowing. “Well, well… someone’s in a good mood,” she said, setting her mug down. She watched Millie head to the shelf with a little too much bounce in her step. “I’d love to hear what you want to talk about. But first… how’s Sergeant Fry?”
Astrid's question made Millie freeze, she drew in a breath, squared her shoulders before turning around to look at Astrid. She could lie but, if Astrid had somehow found out, Millie wasn't going to lie.
"Sergeant Fry, he is doing as well as can be expected." there was a tint of pink in her cheeks. "Why do you ask?" okay so she was going to act nonchalant about it. She leaned casually against the shelf with her shoulder.
Astrid leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, the smirk on her face growing just a bit wider. “Oh, no reason,” she said innocently. “Just that I woke up, noticed you were gone, and when I asked the computer where you were…" She raised her mug in a mock toast.
"Oh... the old, lets ask the computer where I am at." her cheeks going a darker pink. Millie gave a slight chuckle moving over to the replicator and ordered herself a coffee, she was going to need it. "I could just dance around the subject but I won't" her coffee appearing and she went to join Astrid at the table. She took a sip of her coffee, as she gathered her thoughts. "I-I would like to keep it a secret as long as I can from the others. I don't want Tyr to get grilled by anyone, questioned. And I know that there will be a particular person who would be quite willing to question him, a lot, well I could consider it an interrogation, maybe?" she looked down at her mug of coffee, making it rotate in one spot.
Astrid softened, the teasing still in her smile but tempered with understanding “Hey, I get it,” she said gently, watching Millie settle in across from her. “Your secret’s safe with me. I might tease, but I’m not about to spill anything.” She paused, her grin returning just slightly. “That said… I might ask for advice now and then.”
"Ask me for advice?" Millie thought for a moment or two, then nodded. "Okay." drinking some of her coffee, she grimaced, "Normally I would prefer tea but, I am going to need something to keep me awake during shift. I've not been sleeping well. And I think next time I will make this sweeter." shuddering.
Astrid nodded. “Yes, advice.” She leaned in slightly. “Because, based on my calculations, you’ve got two gentlemen vying for your attention and one of them has already earned himself a late-night visit.” She winked. “I might need a few tips on how to catch someone’s eye myself...”
"Wait there is someone else interested in--me?" Millie having forgotten that Vura had mentioned briefly that Narin was interested in her. "As for someone being interested in me, I didn't go out of my way to attract anyone's attention. " meeting Astrid's eyes, a somewhat confused expression in her eyes.
Astrid raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Come on, you're smarter than that," she said with a teasing grin. "Remind me...were we shopping for Sergeant Fry, or was it someone else…?" The question hung in the air, more rhetorical than anything.
Millie looked into her coffee mug, seeing her own reflection in the darkness of the coffee. "I--was thinking of Tyr, but also for me. I wasn't expecting Vura to get me some- nightwear" giving a shy chuckle. "My going into the realm of intimacy I've not really um- well, I just went to sleep and nothing more." she sighed, "I am not going to do kiss and tell, I'm not that sort of person."
Astrid smiled gently, her tone shifting to something softer, more supportive. “That’s totally fair, Millie. You don’t owe anyone the details,” she said, “And honestly, I figured the shopping trip was part you, part... Vura's very specific brand of encouragement. Nightwear and all."
She took a sip of her coffee. “For what it’s worth, you’re allowed to explore things at your own pace. No pressure, no expectations. Just… do what feels right for you.” Astrid gave her a warm smile. “And I’ve got your back, no matter what.”
"Yeah Vura is very supportive and-" Millie looked up from staring into her coffee mug. "She seemed to be a bit down and she certainly brightened up when I asked her for help in redoing my wardrobe and equally glad you were invited along. I confess though, I feel bad as it was all about me and that you were shoved aside. Well it seemed that way to me. "
Astrid waved a hand gently, shaking her head. “Don’t worry about that. Honestly, I knew going into it that the trip was about you—and it should’ve been.” She leaned forward slightly. “I didn’t feel shoved aside at all. If anything, I was just happy to be there and see you getting excited about something for yourself.”
Leaning back Astrid grinned. “Now, I’ve got two questions for you… First, does Vura know about Sergeant Fry? And second does this mean Narin’s officially back on the open market?”
"Vura doesn't know as I've not said anything to her. And two- when it comes to Tyr, and me. I don't quite know where that is going to be going. And three, with my um- coming out of my shell. I have no idea as to what could happen between myself and Narin. I honestly had no clue that he was interested in me that way. My reading of cues from someone being interested in me are a bit out of kilter."
Millie took a huge drink of her coffee before she continued. "If though you are interested in Narin, I won't get in the way either. I am just re-joining the dating scene, and Tyr is the one who helped me a lot in my breaking free from the prison I put myself in. Vura was the first one though, she had been the one I sought help from. And she has really helped to open that cage door just a wee bit. It had to be me though that I was willing to just bust down that gate even more."
Astrid listened quietly as her friend spoke, nodding now and then, a hint of guilt settling in. The teasing from earlier felt a little misplaced now. Millie had clearly been carrying this weight for a long time, and taking steps forward was no small feat. Astrid let out a soft sigh. “I’m sorry for giving you a hard time about all this.” She said sincerely. “You deserve to be happy, to enjoy yourself. And it sounds like, finally, you’re getting the chance to do just that and I’m really glad you are.”
Millie heard the change in Astrid's voice then decided to turn the tables on her. "So-is there someone you fancy? That you would like to pay attention to you?" giving a teasing smile.
Astrid raised an eyebrow. “Well, you see, I thought I had someone to snuggle with me.” She began, placing a dramatic hand over her heart. “But here I am, finding out they like to sneak out in the middle of the night to visit someone else...” She let out a sigh. “Guess I’ll just have to find someone else now… someone who won’t abandon me for a certain charming sergeant.”
"And I will be abandoning you once more as I've got to get myself ready for my shift. Its almost time." finishing up her coffee. "Also would it be okay with you if I brought some plants into our quarters? " Millie being hopeful.
“Abandoned again. Tragic.” She said dramatically. “But I suppose duty calls.”
“Yeah, of course. Bring in whatever plants you like as long as none of them try to eat me in my sleep, we’re good.”
"Nope I do not want to find an Audrey in our quarters, that would be awful, and rather dangerous. " Millie contemplated something. "Uh do you play an instrument or sing?"
"No instruments, and I definitely don’t sing. Not unless I want to scare people off.” She smirked. “Engineering’s more my rhythm.”
"There you go, you will need to learn how to play the drums " Millie announced with a grin. "What do you say?" having a pleading expression in her eyes.
Astrid blinked, a bit caught off guard. “The drums?” She repeated, raising an eyebrow. “Why do I need to learn to play the drums all of a sudden?”
Millie gave out a laugh. "Okay, okay, you don't have to, its just what if a few of us, created some sort of band and we performed like for a charity function. Or just for fun. Just to branch out from doing the everyday job that we're doing."
Astrid stared at Millie for a moment, eyebrows slightly raised, clearly trying to keep up. “Okay… wait. A band? Like, an actual band?" She leaned forward, resting her arms on the table, studying Millie. “Not that I’m against the idea… but who are you right now? And more importantly who else is in this surprise band of yours?”
"Its just an idea that has been buzzing around in my head, I've not really spoken to anyone as of yet, I'm just getting to know the crew. I er have been asking if people know how to sing, or play an instrument of some sort." Millie blushing.
"And this is actually a side of me that I've not really shown anyone. And those I've been talking to have mainly been the ladies of the ship. T-they don't know why I have been asking what they like to do in their spare time, asked, non-chalantly if they know how to play an instrument or sing. Well get them to say on their own if they can play or sing as well. I feel that people are so isolated on this ship at times that they don't know each other yet and are just in their own little world, some of them feeling alone even if they work with people."
“Well well… you sneaky little thing.” She said with a playful tone. “Asking innocent questions, planting subtle ideas. Millie, you’ve been undercover this whole time.”
She leaned back in her chair, clearly impressed. “But I’ve gotta say, sneaky or not, it’s for a good reason. I think you’re right. People do get caught up in their own little bubbles out here. A band, or even just something fun to bring people together? That’s actually a brilliant idea.”
"If it weren't for Vura and also--" a bit of a color blooming in her cheeks. "Tyr, I wouldn't have dared try to even do this if it weren't for Tyr and going on a date to Never Winter. "Tyr has been the biggest part in inspiring me. Oh he has such a fabulous voice and he can play the guitar. I-I decided to show that I could sing, to him." she covered her face as her cheeks became redder. "Gahj I can't believe I went to sing in front of a few people for a charity event. I am not going to brag about it though. Its not my style and--I hope you don't think I am bragging either" lifting her face from her hands.
“Ohhh.” Astrid said, drawing out the word with a grin. “Now it all makes sense. You’re smitten.” She pointed playfully. “This sudden interest in forming a band, casually asking people about instruments, singing in front of a crowd. Millie, you’ve got it bad.”
"Maybe I am smitten, I am not certain in truth. I worry though, I truly do, and I don't want to go overboard on anything." Millie giving a shrug. "I found courage though to be more open, to share more about me. I'd not told anyone until you, me and Vura went shopping, that I love to ride motorcycles. And Tyr found out that I sing. I've kept quiet about that for a long while. And about what I like to do."
“It’s okay to not be sure yet. That’s kind of the point of getting to know someone, right? Figuring it out as you go.” Astrid smiled. "I get the worry. It’s easy to be afraid of doing too much, too soon. But you’re not rushing into anything. You’re just letting people see you. That’s not overboard. That’s brave.”
"Okay I'll take your word for it, my being brave. " Millie thought about Narin, and how he'd been so kind to her, she will need to go check on him sometime soon. Just to check his well being.
"How about we make a deal?" Astrid said. "If you promise to keep being brave. Keep putting yourself out there. Sharing more of you with the world then I'll put some real effort into learning the drums."
"Its a deal. And on that note, I've got to get changed and report in. I wonder where I will be working next." rising up from the table, sending her cup into the recycler. " I went to go do some clean up in a storage area. It needed to be done. " Millie stepped into her area and changed into her uniform. She put her hair into a French braid. Her mind briefly touched upon the t-shirt she came across along with that calendar, in the storage room. Giving a little bit of a scoff at where her thoughts went, Millie needed to concentrate on her next job. Whatever that would be.
Astrid nodded. “Deal it is.” She stood up, grabbing her empty cup and dropping it into the recycler before turning back to Millie. “Have a good shift.” She said, then headed for her room, the grin still lingering on her face.
A Joint Post By
Ensign Millicent Ambrose
Engineering Officer, USS Pioneer
Ensign Astrid Renfield
Quantum Slipstream Specialist
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