The vessel shuddered again when another essential part decided to explode.
“What’s happening,” cried Eleanor, shaking. Bianca wrapped her arm around her and guided her forward.
"Come on, sweetheart, it will be okay."
"The ship is exploding! This is not okay," she stammered.
"It may be, but we're not far. The escape pods are just up the way. You'll see. We'll be there in no time. Don't worry. Just one step in front of the other." Bianca wrapped her arms around her and nudged her along.
Eleanor made herself move forward. Bianca was right. She couldn't just stay there. She had to move forward, to try and get away and save herself.
"Whatever you have to do," Bianca said. "You can do this. I promise"
"I am never doing another diplomatic mission again."
"I understand." Bianca patted her arms. "Never say you won't. You never know what you'll do when you have to."
This was not the time for this. "When we get home, we can have a heated and animated discussion about philosophy and what we will and will not do. Right now, I just want to go home." Chaos was everywhere, and every step felt like the ship was breaking up. Bangs and clatters and scary cries were everywhere.
The crew, wherever they had gone, were in the middle of this too.
And not one came to check on them.
Something she filed in the back of her mind. Why she wasn't sure, but it seemed wrong.
Not that the ship being blown up was a great thing, either.
Freya pushed Caoimhe along, the lady-in-waiting jumping and crying out with every bang and boom.
“It’s okay,” Caoimhe said. “It’s a malfunction. We’re going to be okay.”
Eleanor shook her head. "This is not okay," she muttered.
A panel shorted out near them. Freya batted at the princess’s dress, wiping at the embroidery where the sparks had hit. “Must keep the dress—”
This was not how Eleanor expected their arrival to be.
Well, no first diplomatic mission should be considered normal, should it?
She glanced at Caoimhe and inhaled a breath. This was important, and it had to be done, whether she wanted to or not. This was bigger than being scared, and whether she liked it or not, she was in the middle of this. She had to do it.
You can do this, Eleanor,she told herself.If Caoimhe is freaking out, it means it's your turn to be the strong one. Stop crying, and let's work this situation. Freaking out later is fine. Right now, get through it.
And be strong for your sister.
In her head, she heard her favorite concerto, the one that made her feel strong and vivacious. The music cleared her mind and helped her regain control of herself. She rocked her head back and forth, cleared her throat, and put her hand on her sister.
"Come on." She tugged her forward.
Caoimhe was confused and upset. Which only made Eleanor more upset.
"Sister," she said.
It did no good.
Veta got in her face and started to scream at her. It was enough to wake her from the shock she must have been in.
They all were in shock. They had to be.
