Chapter 10 - Unwrapping and Unraveling

When she entered her room, she noticed a box sitting on the table in the middle of the living room. It was ornate looking and composed of wood. She approached, curious how it had gotten there. Next to it was a card that simply had her name printed on it.

The only person she could think of that would pop inside her private space to leave something was Poros, so she prepared to thank him the next time she saw the man. She opened it up while wondering what the Shift Walker would get for her. Inside was an assortment of lozenges that made her frown.

This wasn't something he would gift her. She'd made it clear that the standard-issue ones were fine... or rather than she didn't want to *like* better ones so much that it became hard to deal with eating the ones she needed.

As the black haired woman was wondering what was even going on, the communications panel lit up at her door. Naia walked over, pressed the button and was greeted with an image of Commander Orfea's stern visage.She saluted immediately, knowing that her somewhat-mentor was a stickler for protocol.

"Harmonic Navigator Naia reporting!"

"Good. We've had some issues with your newest squad member and I've been tasked with handling her discipline. I'd like for you to keep an additional eye on her for me."

She almost wanted to retort that it was already in progress whether she liked it or not. After a few more general orders and a dismissal, she was left staring at the blank screen. The blonde being brought to attention again reminded her that she had seemed interested in the lozenges on the last mission.

'I suppose I should thank her, even if it was a creepy thing to sneak into my room. How did she even get inside?'

Naia picked up the box while staring at every corner of the room, and headed out the door after checking the lock on her balcony. Even though she was tired, she was intent on finding Theia and getting the issue of surprise gifts handled. It was a short trip from her personal quarters to the other squad dormitory, and the woman's door at the end of the hall opened immediately upon the Navigator's knock.

Her blue eyes were alight with curiosity, the only sign of emotion Naia could find at her appearance. When she held the box out a little, there didn't seem to be any sign of greater understanding on her face.

"Is that something for me?"

Naia's lips thinned and her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Wasn't it the other way around? I thought you sent..."

The other woman's head tilted and confusion became clearer. The Navigator really hated trying to read body language on its own.

"I don't remember sending you anything. I've been in my room the whole time since I was recalled. Did someone tell you I sent it?"

The eyes that were examining her expression, ticked down and her cheeks flushed.

"No it... I guess it was my misunderstanding. They were lozenges and you..."

A moment of 'so that's what it was' showed on Theia's face. She chuckled a little and shook her head.

"Wow, that does sound like something I would do, but I didn't. I swear. If you'd like, I can come check your place for security issues?"

The Navigator was taken aback by the offer, unsure how to handle the situation. The person she was here to quickly thank just confirmed that this matter was a little more worrying than she thought. She tried to rationalize that it was maybe Poros and he merely forgot about what she told him. It didn't sound like the man, but nobody was perfect.

"I think I'll be fine. Sorry for bothering you with this."

She turned abruptly and started walking back to get that shower. The voice calling out to her didn't cause her to stop.

"If you're sure! It's not a problem, really. If you want to talk later, you can just send me a message. I never did get to hear the details of your power from your perspective!"

Naia felt a small disgruntled shiver at the casual invitation to hang out off mission - and then a great wave of relief as she heard the door close behind her. She leaned back against the outside wall of that building before she sighed.

'Maybe I should have accepted the offer... I still don't know if it was my Shift Walker. I wonder if he's back yet or busy?'

Whatever the case, she did feel a little ill at ease. Instead of going back to her room she trudged towards Evander's. He opened the door quickly and saw what she held in her hand. A small pleased smirk spread on his face.

"Well, it looks like you guessed right. You must have been curious to ask me how, huh?"

She nodded, a flush rising to her cheeks because of the misunderstandings... and the happiness over having been sent something by her lover. It didn't matter as much anymore that the actual gift inside the box was something she wouldn't want. It was the thought that counts, right?

"I had no idea who the sender was and... well.."

"Of course. That's why you came looking for me first, since I left no other hints. Didn't you think of your friend?"

Hearing him so sure that he had been first in her thoughts to visit and ask made her a little flustered, because this time it wasn't the truth. Naia looked away, a soft sigh leaving her lips as she shook her head and spoke without thinking.

"I did think he was the only one who would put something there, but Poros knows I don't want to ruin my palate with better tasting-"

She froze and her face paled. She felt a hand gently grasp her chin and force her to look up at Evander. His eyes were dancing with stuttering red glows, and she could feel the underlying tension.

"You're right. You did say something like that in the past. I'm sorry."

The apology was almost an afterthought, his attention fully focused on the gift he had intended to... his fingers brushed the edge of the box in a little self-disappointment.

"You should enjoy the box at least, Naia. I'll talk to you tomorrow."