Intermission ~ The A Team
A day has passed, then another one, and even if Luna's control over her emotions improved, she was still depressed. She was spending most of her time in the garden, usually with Avi, who was aware of how much Luna needed her, and despite it, couldn't restore her gentle smile with any method.
“It'll pass. I just need more time.” - She assured, despite having less and less of it.
Nicolas, although unhappy with how things turned out, was giving his best to take part in the family life without further outbursts. It was clear they wouldn't help Luna, who was suffering the most. He also didn't mention his idea of going back to Earth anymore, even if it still resided in the corner of his mind.
Charlotte took the latest events to heart and tried to visit Luna as often as possible, to treat her to some new meals that she used to cook for Avi in her childhood.
Virka seemed most reserved and indifferent. She often closed herself in her room, sitting with a bottle and pondering the situation alone, trying to figure out what her role in all this is. She remembered about Avi and their first meeting, and about the inner anger related to being unable to change anything.
Their shared meals passed in an atmosphere that could best be described as maintaining the illusion of normalcy. At the last dinner, something snapped inside Virka. She felt a knot in her stomach, and she couldn't digest all the pretending. It resembled Khazan to her, and she felt imprisoned, with the only difference being that these people she was supposed to care about were suffering like her.
Virka suddenly stood up and slammed her hands against the table, making the plates jump. - “ENOUGH!!”
Luna ignored it, still sitting with no emotions on her face, but Avi and Charlotte were more shocked, while Nicolas was sitting calmly and only let out an exhausted sigh.
“I can't stand this charade.” - Vrika shouted. - “Are we supposed to sit here, pretending that tomorrow won't come?”
“Virka...” - Avi whispered with concern.
Virka, however, continued and spoke to Luna. - “Didn't you say that you want to make the most of life while you can?” - Then to Avi. - “...and you, didn't you promise not to give up?”
Luna tightened her lips, then broke down in tears. Avi quickly gave her a comforting hug.
“Stop, please.” - Nicolas asked calmly.
Virka looked at Luna, wanting to continue, but she bit her tongue and stormed out of the room.
“I'll talk to her.” - Nicolas suggested, then left the girls alone.
---
Nicolas knocked on Virka's room, but she wasn't replying or opening.
“I'm coming in.” - Nicolas warned.
Virka was sitting on the edge of her bed, hiding her wet face.
Seeing her like this, Nicolas decided to sit next to her but direct his gaze to the ceiling. - “We are all suffering the same.”
This text was taken from NovelFire. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Virka didn't react. She pretended the man wasn't here.
“If you don't want to talk, then I'll understand and leave you alone.” - Nicolas said, then stood up.
Virka, however, grabbed his arm. - “You can stay.” - She approached her desk, taking a bottle that stood next to it.
Nicolas interrupted it. - “I don't think it's the best idea.”
Virka gazed at her wine with a sad look and put it back, then wiped her eyes and asked. - “Will our girls be fine?”
“I don't know, but Luna needs your support too, Virka.” - Nicolas replied.
“I know.” - Virka uttered, biting her lip. It was apparent she was struggling with something. She quickly added. - “We all need support, but we can help ourselves the way we are now.”
“Avi.. she is strong.” - Nicolas said. - “It might not be a lot, but my wife and I'll do our best to help. If this situation is too much for you to handle, Virka, then we'll understand, but please... be gentle to Luna.”
“You ask a lot. We're needing her the most.” - Virka pointed out.
“It's true.” - Nicolas admitted.
“...but that's not how it should be.” - Virka added. - “Not with me in the team. I should be able to do way more, but I'm too afraid.”
“Of what?” - Nicolas asked.
“Of you learning who I truly am...” - Virka revealed. - “...and of me betraying the trust of those to whom I owe it.”
“I don't know who you owe your trust to, but I promise – you can be yourself here, it won't change our opinion about you.” - Nicolas declared.
“Many before you spoke of similar things.” - Virka stated. - “I trusted many, and many abandoned me.”
“You might be right.” - Nicolas added. - “I don't know your past, but I would rather judge you not for it, but for who you are.”
“The past isn't something you can just cut off from.” - Virka argued.
“Maybe...” - Nicolas replied. - “...but even if the whole world condemned you, us included, then I'm sure Avi won't do that. I know her too well.”
“I... I don't know. I'm not sure of it at all.” - Virka uttered quietly.
“Put your faith in her.”
Virka was pondering for a long moment, then decided to grab the bottle and finish emptying it. - “Nicolas” - She spoke. - “Don't expect too much, but I'll do it... for Avi and Luna. Even If I know that I'll regret my decision later.”
---
Virka entered the garden, finding Luna resting on Avi's lap.
“Is she sleeping?” - Virka asked.
Avi nodded.
“When she wakes up, come to the bridge.”
---
Avi brought Luna, just as Virka requested. The woman leaned against the control panel and spoke. - “Luna, let me access the communication device, but make the connection encrypted. I want it to be fully private.”
Avi stared at Virka, expecting an explanation, but the woman didn't respond. Luna didn't think a lot and dispassionately agreed.
When everything was reconfigured, Virka approached the console and pulled a plug from her sleeve, then inserted it into the correct port. She didn't speak for a minute and only occasionally switched the controls on her glove.
When she was done, she announced. - “I've activated my contacts. Although it's unlikely to amount to anything, I'll take the risk to help you.”
Avi's gaze still followed Virka. - “Thank you.” - She said, then hugged her without a warning. - “Really, thank you.”
Luna was sceptical. - “It's Anaari. Whatever you're planning, it won't work.”
“Hmpf.” - Virka didn't want to comment. - “I did what I could. It's up to you to accept the offered help.”
“Every new friend is a welcome one.” - Avi stated. - “I'm grateful, Virka. I don't know how I'll ever repay you.”
“You don't have to, but I have to correct you. They aren't friends, they are contacts.” - Virka warned. - “A lot of time has passed, and I don't know their true intentions, or what they will want in return. You must be cautious and not ask too many questions. When we find them, I'll be the one to talk.”
“Yes, ma'am!” - Avi said enthusiastically, then spoke to Luna. - “See!? We're not alone with our problem!”
Luna was silent, but after a short reflection, added. - “Thank you, Virka.”
“You're welcome.” - Virka replied. Despite being confident in her decision, a seed of doubt took root in her heart. She knew that only time would tell if her choice was the right one.