Text via PINpoint

[chiron_survivor]

From: Adia Costas
To: Contact List

Hi, everybody.

I did not get a chance to tell Captain Agathon about the Nexus. His daughter, Hera, was kidnapped by the enemy Cylons. Galactica is going on a rescue mission, and I'll be helping in the medical bay.

I'll be okay! I have my PINpoint. But I wanted to send a message, because I've been locked out of the Nexus before, and I didn't want anyone to worry while I was gone.

Thank you to every one of you who listened to me and offered me advice. I would not have survived this long as a refugee without all your kindness and generosity. You are some of the best friends I have ever had.

I wanted you to know that. How special you are to me.

xo,
Adia

Comments

[shardofwinter]

It had been another long day for Reynard, so he smiled brightly at the sight of a message from Adia. That smile did not last long.

There are a lot of things in Adia's world he doesn't understand. He doesn't understand what Galactica is. A ship, he assumes. But he does know what a rescue mission is. He knows what it is for people who are on the back foot, for the ones who are always running. More than that, he knows that in a fight it only takes one twist of fate for the safest person to become doomed.

She. Can't. Be. There.

But what can he say? Adia is as stubborn as him sometimes. He stares at the screen wondering desperately what to say. He has to say something.

Come to the Nexus to say goodbye. Just for a few minutes. I'll give you a knife to protect yourself. I'll get you a cake too while you're here. I won't take much of your time, I promise. I still have some Winter magic, I could help protect you.

[chiron_survivor]

Reynard’s message comes as she’s preparing to leave the supply closet she’s tucked herself into, ready to face whatever tasks Laura has set out for her before they make the jump to the enemy Cylon colony.

She’s not surprised by his request. He wants to protect her. And part of her wants to be protected, especially by him. She considers his offer — she has no use for a knife, but the cake is tempting, as is a touch of Winter magic. Or the comforting presence of her dearest friend.

She’s tempted. She’s so tempted.

And that’s the problem. If she agrees to see him, pops over to the Nexus or his home, she might never come back.

I can’t, Reynard. We’re about to leave. But I’ll be careful, I promise. I’m coming along to heal the injured. I’m not going to be where the fighting is.

She hopes.

I’ll take you up on that offer of cake as soon as I return to the Nexus.

[shardofwinter]

"That won't matter if you're defeated," he yells at his PINpoint. Closing his eyes, his hand balls into a fist and he takes a deep, shaky breath to calm himself. He's quick to open them again to type back as quickly as he can.

Just for a minute, Adia. Blessings are very quick. Or I could come to you, bless you and then leave you. Why take a risk when you can avoid it with just a touch?

[chiron_survivor]

She knows him well enough to sense the desperation in his tone. It makes her stomach twist with guilt. The whole point of sending a text to her friends is that they wouldn't worry if she was absent from the Nexus for longer than usual. She's only done the opposite to Reynard.

I can't.

She bites her lip, paces in a tiny circle. She can't leave. It won't be just a minute, she knows that. He knows that. And bringing him here is a risk she's not willing to take.

I can't, Reynard. I can't. Please understand. I'll be okay.

[shardofwinter]

He's going to lose her. He can feel it. She's going to go off on this stupid suicide mission and there's nothing he can do about it. He knows that. It doesn't mean he won't spend as much time as he can trying to get her to rethink this.

Seasons, he wishes he were faster at typing.

No one else is worth your life. Come to the Nexus. Come and be safe. Please. It will work out. I'll make it work out.

[chiron_survivor]

She wishes she could believe him, that everything will work out without her there. But so many people have already died. She has to intervene somehow.

I know this is not what you want for me. I'm sorry.

Never in her wildest dreams did she think that if push came to shove between her and Reynard, she would be the one to hurt him with her decisions.

I have my PINpoint. I've been in situations like this before. If it gets really bad, I'll leave. I promise.

[shardofwinter]

Yelling at his PINpoint won't help, he reminds himself, but typing feels so… useless. It kills him that this is all he has to convince her with.

It's too much of a risk. This isn't worth it. You have a life in the Nexus don't throw it away.

[chiron_survivor]

I'm not throwing it away, she wants to type. How is helping others throwing her life away? Hadn't he compared her to that nurse from his own world? Did she waste her time helping all those soldiers, giving them a light in the darkness?

She sighs and runs a hand through her hair. If something does happen, she doesn't want their last exchange to be an argument. She can't change his mind, any more than he can change hers.

An alarm sounds from outside the supply closet. Galactica is getting ready to jump.

I have to go now. I'll come to the Nexus as soon as I can. See you then.

<3