@gonegloriousâââ sent,
â casper leaves a notebook, different colored pens, and a book of earth poetry outside of aella's door. a simple card sits on top, it reads: "Liana, Happy Birthday. - C." â
  Just hours ago, Aella finished her first shift since the mind link, and her amnesia, and it had been long, and heavy. She was not sure if she were simply not completely ready to be back on duty, or if it had been the fact that Lieutenant Fleming had left tea on her station for her. Perhaps a mixture of both. Everything felt too uncomfortable -- too large for her hands, too big to be of her.Â
  It was just anxiety. The longer she held to this, it would pass. The more time she spent away from them, the easier it would be.Â
  She hardly remembered ordering the turbolift back to her quarters after her shift had ended -- hardly remembered walking down the hallway. All she could remember was this moment, right now, right here. Standing at her door, boots pressed together, almost touching a set of books and pens left against her door.Â
  She bends down, picks it up as quickly as though the longer it lingers here, the more venomous it becomes. The button for a drawer is triggered, and she drops it in without a second look.Â
  It did not affect her. She is fine, now. Outside of sight, outside of mind, yes? She can study, or prepare for rest. She is not thinking about the taste of the tea still on her tongue. She is not thinking about the books in the drawer. She is not thinking about it. She is fine.Â
  Instead of anything that she was meant to do, she sits on her bed and buries her face into her hands. Presses the palms of her hands to forehead in attempts to wash away the feelings lingering within.Â
  The more time she spent away from them, the easier it would be.Â
  It would get easier.Â