Tri’lea Polgonz: I Always Knew [ACT 1, Betazed]
Robin Hopper
((“Tholta” Primary Reconciliation Building, Rixx, Betazed))
Keehani was like a vision of Karawati herself – so powerful was the energy that seemed to be emanating from the newly-ratified Daughter and Matriarch Ascendant of the restored Ninth House of Betazed. Lea gleefully leapt from her seat as the proceedings came to a close, while her much less-enthusiastic aunt, Lohani, lingered to discuss matters with other members of the Sixth House.
She walked quickly, to rendezvous with the group of assembled Starfleet personnel who had accompanied them on their journey back to Betazed before Keehani broke from her official business. With Adjudicator Izemu’s mandate to take effect immediately, the Ninth House would no doubt be moving quickly – hoping to reestablish claim and control over their ancestral lands along with their numerous other holdings. Much work lay ahead.
As she neared the group, she saw Ceciri standing near the back, busy as ever. Her intended never seemed to rest these days – between the pressure of appeasing her demanding aunt’s ‘requests’ to build inroads and networks with other Noble Houses, her University dissertation, and the responsibilities that came with her role in Starfleet. She approached her first, and gently lay a hand on her back.
Polgonz: ::To Ceciri, tenderly:: Qiymadi… What are you working on so feverishly now?
Ariadust: Response
Polgonz: ::Nodding:: You have many minds vying for a slice of yours. If it helps, know that I am not one of them. My presence here is for Keehani’s sake, and her house, not mine or my own.
Ariadust: Response
Polgonz: Still, when your arms eventually tire of holding that PADD, or your feet grow weary from running around everywhere, know that I am here for you.
Ariaudst: Response
Content to know that Ceciri was managing for the time being, Lea turned her attention back towards Keehani and her family, in time to see Amity’s First Secretary offer them an excited and relieved wave.
S’Raga: You did it!
Wong: Congrats, Keehani! You pulled it off! Nice one!
Richards: Congratulations, Keehani.
Iko: Response?
Lea offered Keehani a supportive smile in return. She had always known the woman had a fire within her that would drive her to accomplish great things. She had known it almost immediately upon meeting her, nearly a year prior…
((Flashback – Grand Mezzanine, Amity Outpost – From JP “Imza & Tholta, Part 1”))
Keehani guided Tri-Lea towards the ornate stairs that led down to the Ground Floor. As they walked, Tri’lea watched Keehani closely. She carried herself gracefully, with the confident bearing of one who ought, one day, to serve as Matriarch of a noble House… though Tri’lea wondered if she knew it.
Polgonz: ~~ I’m sure the fountain is lovely… I’m also sure you realise I’m not only here to see the sights, Daughter Keehani. ~~
Keehani: ~~It’s lovely for you to refer to me as “Daughter”, Daughter Polgonz. But I am not a daughter. Not yet. I may never be. ~~
Polgonz: ~~ Nor am I, thanks to my mother’s interminable domination. We’re both in a similar predicament, if I may be so familiar. Yet I have faith in your cause. Do you think your claim will come to naught? ~~
Keehani: ~~Many of the houses are convinced of it. All because of a name. ::Slightly crestfallen:: I’m still a citizen. A citizen who’s named all of the houses of Nobility in a Reconciliation Forums petition. Sometimes I wonder if my thoughts are not of the Four. ~~
They reached the fountain and stood beside it, but Tri’lea felt her gaze drawn to Keehani, rather than the water feature. There was such passion in her thoughts, such vigor. It was a remarkable breath of fresh air compared to the tired meandering repetition of the other nobles Tri’lea was used to dealing with.
Polgonz: ~~ Surely it can’t be that bad… ~~
Keehani: ~~Oh no, it’s true. Astradem Ukinix, Wil’s grandfather, did those things. Grandmother was exiled by her parents. My great grandparents were just as terrible as the stories you’ve probably heard.~~
Tri’lea considered Keehani’s words. She felt for the woman. Why should she be punished?
Polgonz: ~~ ::Genuinely:: I’m sorry that so many believe we ought to pay for the indiscretions of our forebears… ::Looking at the fountain, at last, and appreciating its beauty:: Still, the rumblings among the other royal houses is that you possess a “relentless” spirit – their words, not mine. ::Back to Keehani:: Do you mind if I ask, what drives you? ~~
"Relentless spirit" brought a momentary wicked smile to her lips, which she quickly suppressed. They were wary of her, which she quickly surmised was good to know.
Keehani: ~~Because my grandmother had something taken from her. Her rightful matriarchy. Twice. She spent 23 years raising me and turning me into the person I am today. And now she is unwell. Attempting to restore her as the controlling matriarch is the least I can do. ~~
The two stood side-by-side for a moment, taking in the sight before them. For a brief moment, both their thoughts seemed only of the present. Then, they walked again, moving on with the ‘tour’.
Polgonz: ~~ I think I understand. You are fighting for a noble cause, indeed, then – the dignity of one whom you love… The Royal Houses are always poised to strike at one another, though they play at friendship. They forget that Imza and Tholta are the stanchions of Altha. Without truth and love, there can be no peace on Betazed. ~~
Keehani momentarily broke from telepathic communication.
Keehani: ::Polite scowl:: Ugh. Their infighting is a result of their own Fana.
Polgonz: ~~ Which is precisely why I’d like for you and I to be close. Both our Houses have their naysayers. I would like to prove them wrong through acts of truth and love, if we can. ~~
((End Flashback))
To the others, it may have appeared that Lea simply smiled across the hall to Keehani. But in reality, she let her know exactly how she felt – with a surge of pride that spoke volumes, even at a distance.
Polgonz: ~~ There are none more deserving of this blessed outcome! ~~
Keehani: Response?
((OOC – Can backsim here if desired!))
((Later That Day, Site of former Ninth House Estate, Arandel, Betazed))
Keehani: So, what do you think?
Tri’lea had never seen the devastation of the Ninth House Estate in-person. It sickened her to think that such destruction had once taken place on the mother world and yet, in so many places across the planet, similar scars of the Dominion War were still slowly healing.
In that regard, her own House had been lucky. The Twentieth House of Betazed – the House of Travelers – had no great estates nor tracts of land as did the other, older, Houses. Its holdings were among the stars, remote colony worlds primarily, which had therefore avoided the brunt of the Dominion’s attacks… a fact that many of the other Noble Houses had never let them forget.
Wong: I believe this is what you call a fixer-upper.
Polgonz: ::Nodding slowly, surveying the rubble:: More like an open wound.
S’Raga: It must have been very elegant back in its day.
Richards: It kind of reminds me of walking through old ruins from World War III back on earth…
Iko: Response
Lea turned back to face Keehani, looking no longer on the charred structures behind her, but feeling their presence still in the swirling emotions of her friend and ally.
Keehani: ::Looking around the ground:: There is so much work to be done. And while I am grateful for Adjudicator Izemu ensuring the six houses participate in the rebuilding of this estate, I want this rebuild to be done properly. No shortcuts by them.
Wong: Understandable. You’d rather have a Chateau Picard instead. However, I do believe that with time and effort, we can rehabilitate this place.
Iko: Response
S’Raga: It won’t be easy, but we’re here to support you, Keehani. Just let us know what you need.
Ever-the-optimists, it now became clear why these Starfleet Officers had been asked to come along. With the Ninth House’s petition a success, the handover would give Keehani and her grandmother, Vaxa Ral, little time to bolster the support necessary to begin their work in earnest before Keehani would be needed back on Amity. However, with a little expert know-how and the resources of Starfleet behind them…
Polgonz: ::To Keehani, with a smile:: ~~ They are eager to help, aren’t they? ~~
Richards: We’re here for support? I thought this was a vacation and we were here to sit by a pool and sip some exotic cocktails! ::Smiling, winking:: But no really, tell us what to do.
oO Except, perhaps, for that one. Oo She chuckled at his jest. Even Ensign Richards, though his mind was often a whirl of frivolous jokes, unfamiliar earth music, and impolite thoughts about a particular brunette science officer, was still as keen and energized at the thought of helping as any of the others.
Lea wandered aside for a moment, while Keehani established what each Officer could do to contribute to the effort, given their unique knowledge and skills. For a time, she simply stood and stared at the site in awe – until she felt Keehani’s attention directed at her. At this, she spun to see what it was that Keehani had in mind for her…
((OOC – Skipping all the filled tags that Lea wasn’t paying attention to…))
Keehani: As for you Ensign Iko, I’d like you to accompany me to the Fourth House and meet with the main person who has been- ::slight smile:: had been, largely responsible for dissolving the Ninth House. Wil’s grandfather was being investigated for the theft of Project Blue, we will be now terminating that investigation. I would like you to help me audit the investigation and ensure everything has been proper.
Iko: Response
Keehani: Daughter Ascendant. Your support, and the support of the Twentieth House, has been crucial for us. I do not want to cause any tension between the Fourth and the Twentieth Houses, but I would like to ask if you could accompany myself and Lieutenant Iko. After today’s outcome, I am not sure if the administrators will be welcoming or hostile. But of course, it is your choice if you wish to accompany me.
Lea stepped closer, nodding in appreciation. Keehani’s words of warning were fair, and her concern was kind. But if Tri’lea was to step into her rightful role as a Daughter of the Twentieth House – and perhaps, someday, to wear the mantle of Matriarch Ascendant, as Keehani now did, she would need to have the courage to stand up for what she believed was right.
Polgonz: I will absolutely be there… ::A proud smirk:: …Daughter Keehani.
Keehani: ::Nodding:: Very well. ::To S’Raga, Wong, Richards:: I will leave you here with the shuttle from the Yunupingu. Iko, Daughter Ascendant Polgonz, and I will head to Araraniax, there is a transporter center there 12 minutes’ walk away.
Wong: don’t worry, Keehani. The boys and I will take stock of the place while you’re out.
Richards: We’ve got this. There is plenty for us to do in the meantime.
S’Raga: Alright, I’ll be over by the shuttle-wreck. Nathan, feel free to join me after you’re done with your structural assessment.
With the other Officers accounted for, Keehani addressed Lea and Lieutenant Iko.
Keehani: ::Smiling to Bec and Tri’lea:: Ready?
Iko: Response?
Polgonz: Just a moment…
She could sense the approach of Ceciri – bringing news of some sort with her. She turned to spy her intended walking towards them, PADD tucked under her arm. There was something funny to her about seeing the shift in Ceciri, now that she had begun to warm to the idea of their impending nuptials – for not only did she carry herself differently, but she dressed differently as well. Cygnetian customs surrounding marriage and propriety were, in many ways, nearly opposite to those of Betazoids… and so it took some getting used to, to see her ‘covering up’ so modestly.
Polgonz: What’s the matter?
Keehani: Response?
Ariadust: ::Almost demurely:: Matriarch Ascendant. Congratulations on the fire of your cause prevailing. I apologize for the delay, but I heard something at the local transport center in passing.
Lea crossed her arms. It must have been very unusual indeed, if it had prompted Ceciri to travel out of her way – far from where she was designated to provide her dissertation.
Ariadust: Apparently, there was an undercurrent about the Fourth House having.. pushed their interviews with an angle towards finding hidden caches of some agritech. They were expressing.. relief that the Ninth House would stop pushing, and I thought of sufficient note to bring to your attention.
Polgonz: “Missing agritech?” ::To Keehani:: Are there any such investigations going on at the moment?
Iko/Polgonz/Keehani: Response
Ariadust: They passed into the transport too fast for me to tell you anything besides I'd wager it's an older female, likely in her sixties, with a local accent. Timbre of a scientist, given some of the word choices, but I'm no expert. I apologize for having very limited information. I could inquire at the university after I finish defending my dissertation, if you desire.
Iko/Polgonz/Keehani: Response
Polgonz: When you’re done, let me know. I’d like to hear how you felt about it – and for you to join us, if you can. ::Smiling:: Your insights and attentiveness are always appreciated,
Ceciri nodded. She gave a formal Cygnetian bow before giving Tri'lea a kiss on the cheek, with a bit of a blush. Ceciri was still getting used to public displays of affection – which Lea shamelessly soaked up. oO There will be more where that came from, soon enough… Oo
Ariadust: Understood. And on that note, I need to reach the university then talk to way too many people. If anyone needs my assistance, please contact me. May the stars guide your goals to your shores.
Keehani: ::Smiling:: Tri’lea, Bec and I were just about to leave too. We will walk with you to the transporter center at Araraniax Village.
However, as Ceciri left, the disconcerted voice of Ensign S’Raga interrupted – holding them a little longer. Lea watched, slightly disappointed, as Ceciri disappeared over the hill back towards the direction of the transport hub…
S’Raga: =/\= S’Raga to Wong, I think you should come take a look at this. =/\=
Wong: =/\= I’ll be right over, Ensign. Just hang tight. =/\=
Ikaia then turned to Richards. It didn’t take a telepath to know that S’Raga had found something intriguing – perhaps even troubled.
Wong: Richards, do you want to come with me? Sounds like S’Raga’s found something interesting.
Richards: Sure, let’s go take a look!
Iko: Response
Keehani: ::To Wong and Richards:: We will leave you to it. ::To the others:: Okay, really this time, let’s go.
TBC
((OOC – I will pick up where I left off in my next sim tomorrow, which will also introduce a MSPNPC!))
==
Tri'lea Doyoxo Polgonz (she/her)
Daughter Ascendant, Twentieth House of Betazed
V239806K11