All in all, it was an excellent homecoming. It was expected that
the family would not be at the shuttle pad, as to not impose on House
Morin. She was instead greeted by an
older man who took her bags while she insisted on carrying her own rucksack,
hoisting it over her shoulder even if it rumpled the dress uniform a little.
The older man introduced himself as Hortus of House Ashe. She couldn’t remember
Ashe’s standing, but considering the service, she guessed on the cusp of the Chiliat
and thanked him graciously as they walked along the path. The air off the ocean
was only slightly cool, enough to stave off the hot, brilliant sun, and the
trees were in bloom and left a carpet of petals on the walkway. It had rained
the night before, and the air was slightly moist – so different than the perfectly
regulated air of a space station. Hortus asked Juliette how she had convinced
the blossoms to match her hair and she laughed.
Her family had arranged to formally greet her in front of the
Manor House, at one of the smaller patios, hot tea and cakes carefully arranged. Karana -- her sister and Matron of House Sri.
Lars -- Papa, Ramel -- her younger brother. There was a space between Papa and
Ramel. Her older brother, Kent, was unsurprisingly absent, and the idea of
leaving a place for him in the family line had been abandoned. The space deliberately left was and always
would be for Lara. Her family was dressed either in Betazed fashion; traditional wear for Papa and Kanara; the more
sensible of the latest fashions for Ramel. Juliette, in her Starfleet dress
uniform, was the alien. Welcome to our
planet she thought with a hint of sadness as she slid her rucksack to the
ground.
Karana greeted her formally. Welcome
home, Juliette Sri, Second Scion.
It is good to be
home, Matron, Juliette dutifully responded, her
hands clasped together in front, concealing the ache that the title of Second
Scion left in her. She should be Third Scion, but Lara, the first to graduate
from Starfleet and the first to give her life in the line of duty was gone, her
body the stuff of nebulas, her mind out of the reach of any telepath, no matter
how hard she tried. Likewise, Kanara was too soon the Matron of House Sri. Too
soon, too many gone. Juliette took a slow, shaky breath, trying to remember
their faces.
She suddenly found herself in her father’s fierce hug. He always
broke tradition when it was just family. She felt her sisters exasperated defeat
at maintaining order, which made the hug all the better. She held on until she
didn’t feel so tired and alone, and hugged the rest of her family in order. Her
sister’s hug was perfunctory and brief as usual. Still, It was nice enough to enjoy tea cakes
and hot tea outside, the roar of surf on the western cliffs distant, but a
presence. To Juliette, it was home.
Ramel wanted to know all about Tessa of Morin, his crush in full
bloom for all to sense. House Morin is 82nd, though could
go as high as 78th if they can get Daystrom to fund another
expedition to Delta. They’ve been profitable too, moving up to 60th
in the Ferengi indices. He had always had a head for the numbers around the
Houses, and could usually pick it out, no matter which index.
Kanara’s words were ensconced in her dubiousness. The Ferengi? What a useless index. What good
is wealth if you’re doing nothing with it?
Lars interjected. Some of
our statistical models on house standing are now used in Ferengi market analysis.
He had a measure of pride to his tone. As a statistician, he had been consulted
in deconstructing the Betazoid models with the Ferengi.
Juliette wrenched her mind into the conversation. Papa, a message from Daystrom? Who called?
Dr. Saurn. Very
clever actually writing your note. Lars thought to
her.
Kanara gave the telepathic equivalent of a shrug. It was a clear sign you were hiding things
from them.
Juliette felt her stomach go hollow. Dr. Saurn was her contact at
Daystrom for research on the Biome, and his sudden desire to speak with her was
feeling entirely too coincidental. She started to ask more when Ramel cut her
off.
Jul, The guy in
the shuttle. Was that House Jordres?
Kanara was incredulous. You
rode with both Morin and Jordres? Did you mean to deliberately insult House
Morin?
Juliette flushed slightly, concentrating on stirring her tea. I did, and House Morin wasn’t insulted I asked her to bring him along because I let
her think I was interested in him. Why did you arrange for both of them to pick
me up anyway?
Jodres asked Papa
first, and then Morin asked me. I sure wasn’t going to tell a member of the
Hectat no just so you could pick up some trivial.
Juliette felt her cheeks burn at the implication she’d already
decided her situation with Andres, remembering the chant,
Friends
are Friends
And
Loves are Loves
But
Trivials are brief and forgotten.
Juliette’s reply was only
slightly defensive. It isn’t like that.
Why not? He’s
appealing enough. He might not be Vulcan…
Juliette clenched her jaw, burying her thoughts. My sister, you’re swinging low today. She
projected an entirely different thought to deflect the subject. What did Dr. Saurn say?
Ramel was clearly having too much fun with the current topic to
let Juliette deflect it so easily. House Jordres is somewhere around 900…
817th.
Juliette corrected despite wanting any other
topic.
Kanara snorted. Not
recently. Did you forget that you add at least 5% to whatever rank someone
gives of their house?
Ramael couldn’t help but share his knowledge. They might be 817th on the Ackerman index, but the Denerid
Compsite has them at 834, and that’s the most generous. But as Matron said, people
always overstate. Either way, that shuttle party pretty much spanned from the
Hectat to the Chillat.
Kanara threw up her hands. Oh
no, that’s not awkward at all! I suppose a personal apology – Matron to Matron
– might take some of the sting away…
Papa, What did
Dr. Saurn say? Juliette asked, ignoring her sister.
Lars shrugged, but his strong tone indicated he too, was eager to
change the subject away from house rankings. Very little, I’m afraid, just that it was important he speak with you
regarding the Biome.
The feeling in the pit of her stomach increased. I should call him as soon as I can.
Lars question was concerned. Something
wrong?
Both Jordres and
Morin spoke to me of the Biome – about the research.
Juliette’s words produced a small thoughtful silence from both Kanara and Lars.
Kanara thought dryly, Thank
you Jul, you seem to have brought another mess home.
Juliette’s retort was just as dry. I brought it here so it wouldn’t be lonely, Matron. Where is Kent? It’s a pity you could not seem
to gather all the family here. She
hear Ramel snicker.
Kanara’s reply was cool. It
is my failure that I am not able to bring the family together at critical
moments. Especially you, Second Scion.
Juliette tried to swallow back the mix of anger and shame that
washed over her, but not quickly enough to feel Kanara’s satisfaction at
knocking her off balance. She felt Papa’s own mind become cold, and Ramel
actually flinched. She tried to think of other things and grasped at the first
thought that came to her head – aside
from strangling her matron. Ramel, how
did you know who was in the shuttle? You were all up here at the house.
I used the
security sensors. He answered, with equal measures
impertinence and pride.
Kanara gasped, setting her teacup down with a clatter. The security sensors are for the security
staff!
That’s pretty
rude. Juliette chided him, at the same time
impressed with his inventiveness. Morin’s
bodyguards could have detected that. Should have detected it, she corrected
herself. If they had, they had not complained. Still, a preemptive apology was
probably the best course of action…
Ramel protested to Juliette without a pause devouring his third
teacake, his response for all to hear. You
said if I followed an inverse fractal pattern, it will look like background
limestone resonance off their own sensors.
Juliette frowned. She had told him that the last time she had
visited, but it had been a thought experiment, not something to be casually
practiced. She didn’t have time to further her rebuke when she felt Kanara’s
glare.
Kanara’s thoughts were direct, but loud enough for everyone to
hear. Not even here two hours and already
I have to undo this as well.
Juliette stonily ignored the barb, but couldn’t resist replying
when Kanara started to repeat herself. I’m
sorry sister. Did you say something? You know with my condition I have to
sometimes I have to blot out extraneous noise.
Even Ramel stopped in mid-bite as Kanara’s cold fury washed over
them. Cups were quietly placed on the table and the servants quietly gathered
them up. Tea was over.
Come. Papa
said. Lets get you to your room. His
hand slid to her bare arm as he guided her.
She is your
matron. He said
firmly, taking advantage of the very private connection that touching provided.
Juliette was so angry she considered shaking off the connection,
but relented. She blames me for
everything.
She does not.
Running a house is not easy. Ramel’s will rivals both my daughters’, and his judgment
isn’t always sound.
As bad as Kents?
Where is he, anyway?
I do not know,
and do not change the subject. Kanara deserves your respect as Matron. You must
see the great work she’s done for this House. Remember it.
Anger and pain kept Juliette from not fully concealing her thoughts.
She’s not my Matron. Mother was my
Matron.
Juliette heard his sharp breath and felt him stop. She stopped
with him, desperately wishing she had kept those thoughts closer or better yet
not made them at all. She steadied herself and looked up at her father, her
face hot. Papa. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean
it. I love and support this house. I’m so sorry. She chanced looking at his
eyes, not sure if she could bear the deeper connection meeting eyes would
bring. His expression was sad, and hurt and only increased her regret.
I miss her too,
Julie. Every day. I see so much of her in Kanara. You should look for it too.
She crossed her arms stubbornly, breaking the connection and her
gaze by looking down at the ground. Was it too much to ask not to break down in
tears just hours after returning? She was quiet for a long moment before
looking at his pained expression and establishing connection with her gaze. She blames me for mother.
She does not.
Juliette sighed and managed to keep her thoughts to herself. Some
lies did not need to be pointed out. Of course Kanara blamed her for not being
there when Mother had died. She could remember when Mother had first told her
about how she had eased her grandmother’s
passing. We are not like other species, Juliette, Betazoids to not have to die alone and it is
one of the greatest gifts one can give – to ease another’s passing.
Yet when Kanara had frantically called her about Mother’s health,
Juliette had been at the Academy, deep in the midst of finals, terrified she
was going to fail out like Kent. She could have gotten a bereavement waver, and
waited another year for finals, but a combination of stress, late nights with
classes and surrounded by dozens of torrentially emotional species were taking
their toll. She wouldn’t survive another year. She had refused, recording a
quick holo-message for her mother instead – a message she was too far gone to
really receive. Not being there for her mother’s passing was her fault. Kanara had never forgiven her. She could still
remember Kanara’s last words on the subject. She asked for you Jul – She asked for you and I had to tell her you
couldn’t come. That you were busy. Even Kent was there. You’d better pass at
the Academy, because you failed everyone else.
Juliette couldn’t argue. She had failed her mother, her family,
and nearly failed the Academy despite staying.
Juliette drew a shaky breath. Yes
Papa. I will apologize to Kanara. Just give me some time to rest and get things
sorted. She felt exhausted, which for her was … hazardous.
Of course. His thoughts were gentle. Jul, we are so very glad to have you back.