Persephone was so stunned by the recent news that Major Brie had just informed her of, she felt as though her head was spinning.
A full member of Gold Squadron, me? she asked herself.
But I've barely clocked up 48 centares of simulator training, let alone actually launched in a real viper yet, she further thought, near to panic, and I'm to take my first assignment on the next routine patrol?
??
It was all coming down on her like a Cylon Basestar.
Her eyes expressed a frantic look, as she turned away from Misty.
And to top it all, I'm paired with Lieutenant Artus, of all people? Persephone couldn't believe it.
She turned back, to see Artus and Brie entering another room off the main hallway. Facing Misty, she finally said, "Come on Misty, let us return to our quarters."
Misty followed Persephone, congratulating her on her new ensign-ship, then whispered, "He's kinda cute...", as they reached their bunks.
"How did you meet Lieutenant Artus?"
"Oh..we just bumped into each other. Quite literally", Persephone replied with widened eyes and an amused expression toward Misty. Her fellow cadet laughed at the pun, as Persephone forced a smile to conceal her real feelings.
"Well now you get to fly with him as well. I envy you. But you deserve this recognition, I'm proud of you".
When they arrived in their barracks, Misty reached Persephone's bunk before her, and immediately saw placed on Persephone's bed, a special box that held the ensign insignia.
"Oh Pers, it's here already! Your new insignia". Misty Star picked up the box, and handed it to Persephone.
She took it slowly and just starred down at it. Her heart thumping louder.
"Aren't you going to open it?" Misty asked, starting to wonder about her friend.
Persephone, cleared the lump in her throat, "Ahhh.Yes..yes of course."
As she opened the lid of the box, there inside lay a shiny ensign pin. She gazed at it, and after what felt like light years, finally accepted the reality of the her new rank. She knew very well that one day she would fly a real viper, just not this soon.
She wondered if Triton would had also been bumped up to a full member of gold squadron too. She hoped so. He is such a natural pilot.
Misty helped Persephone to put her new insignia on her uniform.
"Thanks Misty".
"Don't mention it, Pers. You're going to be an ace warrior, I just know it!".
The women smiled. Ease came over Persephone.
Persephone walked over to her locker and pulled out her fragron case, and placed it on a nearby table.
"Well, I think Lieutenant Atrus is ruggedly handsome and would probably tear up a dance floor with leg muscles like his...not to mention his cute behin.." Misty Star purred, but before she could finish, Persephone stopped what she was doing and widened her eyes at her bunk mate.
"Misty! Have you forgotten yourself? If I remember correctly, Helix has asked you to join him for a meal period tonight...and that's why I'm rummaging in this case for you..."
Misty rolled her eyes,"Oh Pers, a girl can look...can't she?"
"Yes..of course...preferably one at time though, Misty. A little decorum never goes astray". Persephone added trying to give a subtle hint.
Misty just giggled as she peered into Persephone's case curiously.
"So do you have anything I can use?"
"Yes, here it is". Persephone picked up a small tubular vial marked with a female Sagittaran symbol.
"This one should suite you very well, I think", as she removed the applicator cap to apply a sample of the fragron on Misty's wrist.
Misty took a whiff of it, as her eyes closed for a micron to shut out other senses, so as to enjoy the scent.
"Oh, this is like nothing I've ever smelled before, Pers. You still know your old designation".
Persephone smiled but with a haunted look in the depths of her eyes. Quietly, she said "Yes.. it was once my life".
"Pers? Are you okay?", Misty looked with concern at her friend who's mind was worlds away.
"I'm fine...so do you like the fragron, Misty?", she said, making a narrow escape from falling into a ravine of ghosts from her past .
"Absolutely! Can I borrow some for this evening? It would be nice to smell of something else other than this starched uniform..."
"Ahhh, you mean you'd like to make an impression upon the unsuspecting Helix...,perhaps to have him think of you every time he smells " Blue Musk" wafting through the corridors of the Callisto?
The young women laughed together.
"Well it wouldn't hurt to have a signature scent..and I was never able to afford Siress Europa's exclusive fragrons, I used to just look at them through the boutique window, when i worked as a steward on the Rising Star".
"Well, now you can. I want you to keep the sample. But use it sparingly, I don't want you knocking out the entire squadron of male warriors, that is".
"Oh thank you Pers"! Misty was thrilled to have it.
"You're very welcome".
"So are you saying there's no more left"?
"I have mostly the full size decanters remaining, with some sample vials with me. There is more on the Starliner. But I don't think, I'll be visiting the boutique any time soon. Our culture and finer things are worth preserving though.
Siress Europa' s work was an art form, a legacy to carry on".
"I'm sure it is, Pers....I feel like a million cubits right now just smelling it", she cooed as she walked about the room inhaling the scent from the top of the small glass tube.
"I'm glad, Misty".
Misty turned and hugged Persephone appreciatively. Persephone was taken by surprise at first, then returned the hug to Misty.
Persephone had not been the recipient of affection in a long time. Misty made her feel appreciated and needed, and like she counted for something again. Not just a number among the handful of thousands had who survived.
She had only known Misty for a few days after coming aboard the Callisto, bonding very quickly with her. Just as her and her cousin, Io, had bounded back on Piscon in their young days.
Returning her fragron sample case back to her locker, she glance at her watch, saying, "Misty,I've got to go and meet Triton so I'll see you later".
She turned on her heel, and quickly gave her hair a recoiffing, and checked herself in the mirror before heading out the door to the officer's club.
As she arrived, she straightened her uniform shirt and walked in with graceful movement. She spotted Triton sitting at a table waiting.
He saw her and waved at her to join him.
"I thought you might have gone back to the sim room to take extra classes", he said.
"Not at all. I was held up by Misty, and there's something very exciting I have to tell you ", she said with a smile.
"I hope all is well with your cousin, Commander Apollo"?
"Yes, everything is fine. In fact he sent a message to let me know that he has cleared his schedule to meet me on the Rising Star for dinner in two senton's time".
"That's great. I'm sure you'll have lots to catch up with".
"Yeah..I look forward to seeing him again". Triton went a little quite, then finally conjured his courage to ask her.
"Persephone, I would like it very much, if you would join me for dinner in the dinning lounge on the Rising Star, with my cousin".
"Oh..I wouldn't wish to impose on your time with the Commander, Triton".
"Don't be silly, Apollo would be happy to meet you, a new rising warrior like you".
Persephone blushed, with a smile."Triton..."
"I insist. I've already sent a message to him, letting him know I'll be bringing a friend". Triton was quite set in his mind, all the while smiling his killer smile, and his blue-green eyes twinkling.
Persephone took a shallow breadth, and at last accepted Triton's invitation to dinner on the Rising Star, saying"I shall try my best to make it to dinner with you".
She felt more than daunted though at the idea of meeting the Commander of the Galactica, and the Fleets.
As she looked up for a moment toward the door, she thought she saw Artus wandering into the officer's club but she wasn't sure, for there were some officers standing in front of the person.
Her uncomfortable feeling came back once more.
"Now what was your exciting news?"Triton queried her.
Once more she cleared the recurring lump in her throat, and took a deep breathe.
"I met with Major Brie just millicentons ago, on my way back to my quarters. She informed me I have been accepted as a ensign of Gold Squadron, and I am to report to Captain Hawke for my first viper assignment."
Triton's smile spread across his face as he took notice of Persephone's new insignia on her collar.
"That's fantastic Persephone! I'm so happy for you. Congratulations!"
She thanked him with an exhale and a smile, almost becoming lost in his eyes.
She wished she could have been Triton's wingman, instead of Artus.
Triton filled her in on his acceptance into Gold Squadron as well, with an early graduation like herself.
She felt delighted for him, extending her warm congratulations to him. It suddenly occurred that it could still be possible for her and Triton to be rostered on the same patrols in future.
Just then, she felt a person approaching their table from behind.