Tri’lea Doyoxo Polgonz: Legacy of a Matriarch

[Lt. JG Kivik]

((Amity Outpost - Terminal A))

Despite Rei’s best efforts, Tri’lea felt the tightness of her dress straining her patience. She tried to subdue her own discomfort. Too much was at stake. She was finally doing what she had been born to do, finally forming her own connections as a representative of House Polgonz. Daughters Rivi and Keehani certainly deserved her undivided attention. Still, she couldn’t entirely shake the feeling that her dress, much like her responsibilities, were something that would take time to grow accustomed to.

Polgonz: oO Only, I can’t take the responsibilities off the moment I get to my quarters… Oo

She smiled graciously as Rivi and Keehani spoke their introductions. Tri’lea enjoyed watching Keehani’s fake smile melt away into a genuine one. She could sense the shift in the Ukinix Daughter’s mood immediately and felt some relief herself. If things continued to go smoothly, they might make powerful allies someday.

Polgonz: oO Someday. That day’s not yet upon us. Oo

Keehani: It’s a pleasure to meet you, Daughter Polgonz of the Twentieth House.  I would very much enjoy meeting with you sometime.  I’d be happy to give you a tour of the station.

Tri’lea bowed her head in appreciation of the warm greeting. Out of propriety, she said nothing further about the invitation, though she expected the excited look she shared, and her thoughts, communicated her interest sufficiently.

Polgonz: ~~ And who else do we have here? ~~

Keehani: ::looking around:: ~~ The First Officer was just here, I’m sure he’s around- ~~

Tri’lea looked for the aforementioned First Officer, but couldn’t pick him out. She had heard of this ‘Wil’ Ukinix, as she had heard of Keehani. The two of them represented a most intriguing case in the high courts of Betazed which Tri’lea had been following closely – on her mother’s insistence. If the Ninth House were to rise to prominence once more under the leadership of Vaxa… or her granddaughter… then having friends in the house could make all the difference to Tri’lea and the Twentieth down the line.

She followed Keehani’s gaze as the First Secretary searched. She seemed to settle on a rather happy-go-lucky looking man in a red uniform. He was approaching, a rectangular box in his hand.

Ukinix: G’day Ms Polgonz, how are ya’, I’m Wil, First Officer.  ::Opening lid of rectangular box:: Can I offer you a donut?

Keehani’s genuine smile turned to a grimaced one. Tri’lea sensed her embarrassment as well as Ambassador Vataix’s amusement. She appreciated the gesture. As much as Tri’lea could envision Keehani Ukinix one day heading the Ninth House, and the benefits that friendship could entail, she could also foresee the benefits of a friendship with her cousin, Wil.

If Keehani were proclaimed a Daughter of the Ninth House, it stood to reason that Wil may enjoy some privileges of nobility - not least of which would be his blood relation to royalty. But beyond that, he could be another peg in the vast Starfleet network for Tri’lea to hang her hat upon. Anyways, there was certainly no sense burning bridges, if it could be avoided.

Polgonz: Well, what a friendly greeting. Thank you, Commander, I’d be delighted. ::To Vataix and Keehani, with a playful smirk:: ~~Don’t let the purple carpet fool you. I’m not afraid to get my hands a little dirty in service to good relations.~~ ::To Ukinix:: Though I’m not familiar with this particular treat.

Vataix: Yes, it's a human delicacy made from fried dough. I believe it originates from the Bay of Dunkin, invented by an ancient Earth noble, Lord Horton, isn't that right, Wil?

Ukinix: Response

Tri’lea smiled at the playful banter. She had heard of Rivi Vataix’s exuberance and was pleased to see the stories had not been exaggerations. Perhaps her mother was right to send her here. It might even be fun - at least until the difficult part began.

Vataix: Commander Ukinix is our resident expert on all things Terran.

Keehani: Response

Polgonz: I see. Well, I shall defer to your judgement then, Commander. ::Taking a delicate bite:: Splendid!

She had certainly received far worse offerings than desserts on her many visits to other worlds. Besides, she could tell the Commander meant well. He just needed more time to practice his customs if he desired to have a more active role in noble Betazed society.

Ukinix: Response

Rivi gestured for the Starfleet security escort to begin leading them back towards Copernicus Center, and as the entourage walked through the terminal, Rivi asked for more details about Tri'lea's visit.

Vataix: So, Tri'lea, your letter mentioned an urgent matter.

Polgonz: Yes, that’s right, I did. oO It can’t all be pleasure, can it? Oo I’m afraid it’s a rather sensitive matter pertaining to my family… and one of your officers.

Vataix: Please, elaborate.

Polgonz: I hope you won’t find it rude of me to ask for your discretion in this matter? This is still relatively ‘new business’ and until things are settled and agreed-upon, it might not do for this information to reach the general public. ::Exasperated smile:: You know how these things can be.

Tri’lea felt a little frazzled. Her mother had not made this trip easy on her. There were quite a few matters to discuss with Daughter Rivi and she wasn’t entirely sure how best to address the most unorthodox - and the most pressing one, in her mind.

Ukinix: Response

Keehani: Response

Vataix: Response

Polgonz: Very well. I don’t think there’s much point in delaying the inevitable. ::Stopping for a moment:: As part of my late mother’s will, she established certain.. conditions.. for my ascension to her place as a recognised Daughter of the Twentieth House, as you may have gathered. One of these conditions involves a marriage arrangement between myself and one of your Helm Officers, I believe - Lady Ceciri k’Ariadust.

Vataix/Keehani/Ukinix: Response

They resumed walking. Tri’lea felt a bittersweet smile on her lips as she thought of Idrustix Doyoxo Polgonz. oO A true Matriarch if ever there was one. Oo

Polgonz: Did you know my mother, Daughter Rivi?

Vataix: Response

Polgonz: She was a tenacious woman. Very dedicated to House Polgonz and our duty to Betazed. I don’t think there was anything she wouldn’t do to see our work done, especially in the wake of the Dominion War. There’s a lot to re-build.. ::a glance to Keehani:: ..and many new worlds to explore. Ultimately, my mission here is to look for worlds upon which to establish new colonies.

Keehani/Ukinix: Response

Polgonz: …And this is where the matter of your Lieutenant comes in again. I understand that, as a Starfleet officer, I can’t simply ‘pluck her away’ from her commission – nor would I be surprised if she is, at first, resistant to the idea entirely. I think this arrangement has been rather ‘sprung’ on the both of us… But I do intend to see my mother’s will done.

Vataix/Keehani/Ukinix: Response

TBC

==

PNPC Tri'lea Doyoxo Polgonz (she/her)

Daughter Ascendant,

Twentieth House of Betazed

V239806K11