By now, Basnaaid would have noticed them, as well, so the horticulturist's attention was on them as they approached. Tisarwat gestured a greeting and smiled. "Hello, Basnaaid," she said, and, even with her imagining this reuinion in her head so many times, she couldn't keep a faint wistfulness out of her voice. "It's been a while."

"Lieutenant Tisarwat," Basnaaid nodded, smiled faintly in response. "I heard you and Lieutenant Seivarden were back on the station."

"It must be quiet around here lately," Tisarwat said, "for news like that to travel so fast. But it's good to see you. This is Lucille," she gestured her way. "She's from Earth, the planet where I've been stationed."