Guilty feelings (D8 EA Aphrs room)

[Aphr Ahaya]

Aphr had returned to her room halfway through the trip back. She took her utility belt off, dropping it on the table before flopping onto her bed. Tears that were threatening had started to fall, and she closed her eyes tightly.

[Galen Sol]

Galen had managed to sleep for a few fitful minutes. But, as they docked he got up. He was still sore and worn from the shock of the snare, but too restless to remain still.

As he made his way through the ship, he stopped outside Aphr's door.

"Aphr?" he knocked softly.

[Aphr Ahaya]

Aphr groaned, wiping her eyes and muttering "what?"

[Galen Sol]

"I'm sorry. I was just checking on you." he explained through the door. "We've docked. I'm going to make some lunch."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"Not hungry" she replied, not moving from her spot. She sounded upset

[Galen Sol]

He was quiet for a moment.

"Is there anything I can do?"

[Aphr Ahaya]

"What's...done is done" she replied quieter, feeling close to tears

[Galen Sol]

"Aphr, please..." He really wasn't sure what to say. "If you want me to leave, I'll leave. But, I don't want to leave you alone like this. I don't want to leave the ship like this."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"Do what you want...it hardly matters anymore" she replied as the few tesrs fell

[Galen Sol]

"Let me in, please."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"It's not locked" she replied as she curled up

[Galen Sol]

He entered the room and slowly moved over to her. He sat on the floor leaning against her bed.

"I understand not wanting to talk. But, I don't think we should be alone right now." he explained softly. "I don't want to be alone."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"It's my fault anyway, you don't need to suffer" Aphr murmured into her knees that she was hugging. For the curious, there was a slight change to her utility belt - something covered up on the side of it

[Galen Sol]

"It is not your fault." he said firmly. He reached out to rest his hand on her shoulder. "Everything that happened was directly because of me. You should be upset with me."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"I am" she said, wiping her face "but I'm angry at how useless I am as well."

[Galen Sol]

"You aren't useless." he shook his head. "It was a bad situation. Which, again, was my fault. I didn't prepare either of you, properly."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"I am useless. While you and Zeno managed to strike at it and damage it, all I did was hide behind a tree" she curled up more

[Galen Sol]

He moved to sit on her bed, trying to comfort her by gently massaging her shoulder.

"I should have given you my rifle or left the second trap with you to set. But, you don't need to be a hunter. There are so many things you can do that I don't have the first notion of. I'm so much better with animals than people."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"Right...I'm so great with people. Talking Zeno into coming for his death. How useful I am" Aphr balled her fists

[Galen Sol]

"You did that to help me." He took one of her hands. "It isn't your fault that I'm an idiot."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"Help? What help was I?" She started looking angry again "I was useless!"

[Galen Sol]

"You wouldn't let me go alone." he explained. "I wish it had been me and not him, but..."

He didn't really have the right words. There really wasn't anything he could say. As he stumbled over his explanation, however, there was a crackle of static over their commlinks.

... and turns on his comm, to contact Aphr. "I'm alive." The comlink then turns off.

[Aphr Ahaya]

Aphr almost jumped up, quickly moving to her comms.

"Zeno? Zeno?!"

She looked to Galen.

"Did you hear that?"

[Galen Sol]

"I did." he picked up his own commlink. "Zeno, where are you? Give us your location for pick up."

There was no response.

[Aphr Ahaya]

"Why isn't he answering...did the link go dead?" She was annoyed why has it stopped working?!