What Did You Say?!

Posted on Wed Aug 18th, 2021 @ 11:07am by Lieutenant Amanda Rose & Lieutenant JG Elizabeth Stone

967 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Out of Time
Location: Marine Gym
Timeline: [backpost] After Porcelain Rose

Amanda had to wonder how much Percy was engineering things. He said that she and he were at war. What in the world did that mean? Was he really with Yiv or bringing him over? Was Percy intending for him and her to share Yiv? That made no sense. And while Yiv would probably be fine with that, Amanda was not. And what exactly did Siren tell Percy? Certainly something about the RomCom. She knew that Siren was not adept at "girl talk," but did she not know when to keep quiet?

Too many questions were running through Amanda's brain. She had to take them one by one. "Computer, where is Lieutenant Elizabeth Stone?"

The computer replied "Lieutenant Stone is in the Marine gym."

The Counselor did not need to hear anything further as she headed down to the marine gym and looked for Siren.

Siren was at the bench press. She wasn't lifting too heavy, so had no spotter. When she saw Amanda walk in she put the bar in its holder and sat up. A silent question clearly on her face.

Cautiously, Amanda looked around, wondering who might be about. "Um, Siren, do you mind if I might have a word with you?"

Siren held in a sigh. "What?" She asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.

"Somewhere private?" Amanda asked pleadingly.

Siren was very tempted to say no. If this was going to be about Percy, she was really not interested in hearing any more of the grade school drama. But that reaction would be just as juvenile. She nodded, and stood up. "Lead the way."

Amanda took Siren to the side and asked her frankly, "Did you tell Percy about last night? He just called me to come up to him and mentioned watching a RomCom."

"I did tell him about the rom com." Siren replied honestly.

"Why?" Amanda asked, slightly wounded. "Do you know what he did with that information?"

Siren stood there, confused. "What information? That we watched a rom com? Who cares?" Siren clearly didn't understand why Amanda was upset.

Amanda shook her head. "It is not that anyone cares about the rom com. It is about the fact that he chose to divulge that information to me and was trying to manipulate me with it." She sighed, trying to find a better way to explain things. "Maybe this would help. When someone comes to confide in you, the entire conversation should be kept that way. Pretend like it never happened. Maybe it is easier for me because I'm a counselor. I have to do that all the time. But could you imagine if I started talking about what I might consider trivial matters from my sessions?"

Well that Siren could understand, but she hadn't asked for any of this, and was frankly fed up with being caught in the middle of the stupid little grade school war going on between Percy and Amanda. She was friends with Percy, and she might have been starting to view Amanda as one, but this little telling off was grating on her nerves. She made herself take a breath before she let her mouth run off on her. "I understand. Maybe it would be best if you didn't come confide in me in the future." Siren responded.

"No," Amanda said definitively. "That's not the answer. I know that you're unpracticed." She smiled warmly at Siren. "And, you're my friend. And you did help me a lot last night when I needed it. I accept you for who you are. I'd just like you to try and keep those thoughts in your head for the future. OK?"

Siren ran a hand over her face, then wiped it on her shorts. She'd forgotten she was a bit sweaty. "Yeah. Alright. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to break any confidences. I really did just mention the rom com because I was complaining about it." She admitted.

Amanda giggled. "I know that must have been hard for you; but, I appreciated it. Really, that and all of your help. Anyways, I'll figure out a way to deal with Percy. I don't want to put you in the middle, though I sincerely appreciated the offer of what was it, itching powder in his shorts?"

Siren returned the giggle. She could see herself doing that anyway, just to pester him. "The classics are classic for a reason." She smiled. "Anything else?" She asked. She wanted to get back to working out before she cooled down too much and had to stretch again.

"Nope," Amanda replied with a smile. "I really appreciate you hearing me out. I feel much better now. Open and honest communication.... Always my motto." She sighed. "So, sorry to have delayed you from your workout. I'll let you get back to it then, shall I?"

"You're right. It's a good motto. Again, I'm sorry if I made things difficult for you. It wasn't my intention. I'll see you later."

"Don't accept blame where it is not warranted, Siren. Percy and his choices are his own, not yours. You made a mistake. He.... Well, let's just say that he made some poor choices. I'll have to figure out how to handle them but I don't have to make that decision immediately. There are a great many resources on this ship and I will figure out what is appropriate."

Siren just nodded. Once again feeling like she was being drug into the middle of it, and eager to get the hell away. Luckily she had an excellent excuse. She pointed back towards the bench press and just waved. It wasn't fleeing, it was a tactical retreat.

Amanda headed out, feeling better that she had gotten this incident off her chest. What she would do next, she was uncertain.

 

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