JP: The Ukinix Family - Patriarch Ascendant (Part 2)
Zenia Emba
((Flashback - The Grand Chamber of Nobility, Ninth House Estate, Araraniax Village outskirts, Arandel, Betazed - 2341))
Alacem: ::Dismissive wave:: Oh, don’t be so shocked, my son. You get a wife, the Sixth House gets joint ownership of beautiful, agriculturally rich land with us, the Sixth house *also* convinces the other houses to drop all current Betazoid Government Council legal action against us… ::pointing finger up:: win, win, win! ::Loudly:: Everyone’s happy! ::Looking back at Kirilow:: Imzadi… have I told you lately how spectacularly beautiful you are?
Astradem looked at his sister Vaxa, who had been standing silently with her arms crossed, saying nothing. But he could sense her rage. He blinked his eyes in shock, as many thoughts ran through his head. He was marrying a hardly known daughter of the Sixth House. Whatever her name actually was, he certainly didn’t recognise it or anything like it. If forcibly married, he would lose his freedom. He would also never be able to meet his true love - the Terran university student named “Hayley”.
Kirilow listened intently to her son's thoughts of the whole situation, saying nothing of the ones she disapproved of… yet.
Alacem: ::Casually:: Oh, and by the way, congratulations son, you’ve won. You will become “Patriarch Ascendant”, the patriarch in waiting for the Ninth House.
Astradem: I…
Incensed, young Vaxa stepped forward towards her mother.
Vaxa: ~~How could you! I am the eldest child, a female no less, that title of matriarch is my birthright! ~~
Kirilow: Speak with your mouth child, not your mind!
Vaxa: Fine. I will use my voice. My brother - “Astrad” - is not worthy. I have long stated that I would accept betrothal into any other house, to allow our lands to remain ours. It is not my fault that you have not found me a suitor. It is yours! And now you give a *male*, one that would tarnish the very pillow of two matriarchs, the title of “Patriarch Ascendant” because of what?! A betrothal to an unknown of the Sixth House, to run and hide from our legal fights? You do not even know the daughter’s name! Why, mother, why would you take my birthright away from me?
Kirilow: We love you. We need to protect you from the other, inferior, houses who are growing in power and to prevent them from one day being superior.
Astradem frowned. His mother’s idea of “love” was very twisted. Her four children weren’t loved, they were assets - pawns in a game to make the Ninth House stronger.
Vaxa: No. It’s because you are weak. ::looking at Alacem:: Both of you! It’s because you would now rather concede to the other houses than continue to fight them!
She took a step closer to Kirilow and Alacem, and lowered her chin as she spoke.
Vaxa: Unlike you, I do not concede. Make me the Matriarch Ascendant. I do not *need* betrothal. I will fight the other houses, we do not need to bend to them. I will restore the Ninth House’s reputation that you and generations of Ukinix’s before you have tarnished.
Kirilow: ::shaking head, smiling:: And you will fail.
Alacem: Making the other houses go away by *not* marrying into one of them? ::Chuckling, to Kirilow:: Ohhh, with every day, Vaxa reminds me more and more of your mother, Imzadi. Feisty... ::smirking:: but not so wise.
Kirilow: No-one could be quite as clever as her…
Astradem: I will not be part of this agreement with the Sixth House. This was never part of the plan. I did what you told me to do. But I will *not* be betrothed.
Kirilow: But you are, my child!
Alacem: Yes, the negotiations have been completed… ::rolling hands:: the agreement is being sorted out between the employees of both houses, you know the procedure.
Frustration and anger got the better of Astradem.
Astradem: I refuse the agreement. You cannot force me.
Vaxa: ::Pointing at Astradem:: He is not worthy of the title “Ascendant”!
Vaxa too felt frustration, but the matriarch ignored her daughter’s protest, instead stepping closer to their Patriarch Ascendant,but keeping on hand attached to her Imadazi.
Kirilow: She's waiting for you, Astradem.
Astradem: I do not care. Mother, Father, I refuse. ::Deep breath:: I am aware of what the consequences of that decision may entail. But maybe my heart lies elsewhere.
Alacem Ukinix turned to look at his son and youngest child. He began to breathe in and out through his nose, as he felt rage overtake him. He rushed forward menacingly towards Astradem.
Alacem: ::Gruffly, threatening, quiet tone, pointing at Astradem:: Now you listen to me, Astradem. I haven’t spent decades on you, raising you to be a strong male in this world of misandrist Betazoid nobility for you to just walk away.
The elder Ukinix pointed up to the roof, at a person who was depicted near the edge of the old, large painting.
Alacem: ::Pointing:: Look at Father Perennial Dusul Iheax of the Eighth House, one of the few ever Betazoid Patriarchs, depicted on this ceiling! Who cares that he was the only child of a Matriarch? A loophole in the Noble charter means that you will be part of that patriarchal legacy!
He leaned his face forward so it was within centimetres of the taller Astradem’s.
Astradem: You’re going to marry that Sixth House woman… whatever her name is. And we’re going to have a wedding, and the Sixth House will make all our legal troubles go away. ::Raising voice:: And you will become Patriarch Ascendant of the Ninth House! And when your mother eventually dies, you will be Patriarch of the Ninth House, the Holder of the Noble Currency Chest of Rixx, and keeper of the Noble Lands of Betazed! ::Quiet tone:: Do I make myself clear?
Kirilow: My Imzadi, hush. The child knows the importance.
Alacem turned with a smile and walked towards his wife, who awaited his affection eagerly.
Alacem: ::Seductively:: Ohh, Imzadi, could you sense my anger? ::Devilish smile:: I have plenty more where that came from…
Vaxa: This is madness. Utter madness. Your tholtren is twisted! Both of you!
Kirilow: Vaxa, control your thoughts.
Astradem crossed his arms. He tried to stop the thoughts, but he couldn’t. Vivid images of the Earth woman Hayley Cullen entered his mind…
Kirilow: Astradem. Who is she? Not even a Betazoid, and you're next in kin…
Astradem: She is none of your business. But I love her.
Alacem tutted, and then rolled his eyes.
Alacem: ::Shaking head:: My boy. Your mother is my Imzadi, but she ultimately speaks for this House, I cannot change her mind once it’s made up. Reconsider, before it’s too late. ::Turning to Kirilow:: Can we give him some time to come to the right decision?
Kirilow: 72 hours, not a second more. Plenty of time to make a choice.
Astradem: ::Defiant tone:: It is pointless. I will not accept.
Kirilow: Very well…
Alacem: My boy. You disappoint me.
Astradem gestured to his parents while looking at Vaxa.
Astradem: ::To Vaxa:: Is this how you would have me run this House? Is this how *you* would run this House?
Vaxa swallowed, but said or thought nothing. His mother made her final ultimatum.
Kirilow: Astradem, here come the details. You marry this daughter of the Sixth, or you will no longer be the Patriarch Ascendant of the Ninth house. Perhaps not even a son of the Ninth at all. ::manipulatively:: And we *really* don't want that…
Astradem looked at his eldest sister once more for any sort of response, any sort of reaction. But none came.
Astradem: And you would prefer I fail, sister?
Alacem: ::Interrupting:: What she thinks isn’t important. ::Pointing at Astradem:: Do the right thing, Astradem my boy… ::maniacal, raised voice:: or your days in this house are over!
Kirilow: Come my Imzadi, let the boy think it over. He'll change his mind.
With a wicked grin and wide eyes, Alacem nodded whilst staring at his son.
Alacem: I know he will, Imzadi. Because if he doesn’t, Vaxa will be Matriarch Ascendant, and he’ll have nothing. ::Staring at Astradem:: He knows that.
His parents turned and walked out of the large room, Alacem once again placing kisses on Kirilow’s outstretched arm as they both quietly chuckled to each other.
With his parents gone, Astradem inhaled through his nose, then sighed before looking at his sister. She spoke quietly and calmly, almost as if there was never any tension between them for their entire lives.
Vaxa: You would really give up being Patriarch Ascendant for an off-worlder, Astradem?
The youngest Ukinix child turned to look at Vaxa.
Astradem: I may have discovered true love. There is part of me that wants to be certain.
He turned to leave, before stopping and turning to look at Vaxa.
Astradem: Whether I reject the betrothal or not, I hope you too can find true love.
Vaxa’s facial expression changed, as she tried to suppress her emotions. Her face drained of colour, her lips stiffened, and her eyes opened slightly wider. Her thoughts turned to that of her secret lover, Itum Ral, the employee of the Ninth House who was their lead agricultural scientist.
Astradem sensed in his sister the emotions associated with someone experiencing infatuation and romance. He raised an eyebrow. The corner of his mouth turned up into a smile.
Astradem: Interesting. It seems you may have found it already. ::Stepping forward:: And it seems I have some investigations to make in the next 72 hours.
He gave his sister one last mischievous smirk, before turning and jogging out of the room. If Vaxa also had a secret lover that he could find out about, that may give him leverage with his ruthless parents.
Vaxa: ::Pleadingly:: No, don’t, Astradem, please…!
But it was too late. Astradem was gone.
[END]
Kirilow Ukinix
Matriarch, Holder of the Noble Currency Chest of Rixx, and keeper of the Noble Lands of Betazed
Ninth House of Betazed
A239810RI3
&
Alacem Ukinix
Husband of Kirilow Ukinix
Ninth House of Betazed
&
Alacem Ukinix
Son
Ninth House of Betazed
&
Vaxa Ukinix
Daughter
Ninth House of Betazed
V239511WU0