Ensign Kivik: Like the Pella
Keegan Flick-Parker
((OOC - This continues a scene set during Kivik's six-month leave.))
((Wentaii Capital City, Western J’naris Province, J’naii - Nooren Plaza))
Jasken: Kivik, you know what the price of deviance is. You know what could happen to one of us if we’re caught. This risk is too great.
Kivik nodded - it was true, ne knew the costs. One could hardly spend a minute researching sexuality and gender among J’naii without hearing stories of young men and women taken from their lives and forcibly ‘treated’ until they were shells of their former selves. Expressing a gender identity was strictly taboo - supporting those who did was often considered nearly as deviant, for it suggested that one was ‘okay’ with ‘that sort of thing’.
Kivik: Don’t you want to live in a more free and fair society? Isn’t that the ideal we grew up believing in? H'naiiar doesn’t have to be a lie, Jasken. It wouldn’t be an easy change - but many other societies have progressed through similar hardships.
Kivik watched Jasken’s expression intently - curious if these words would ignite anything within nir sibling. They had never spoken openly about it, but Kivik had nir suspicions that Jasken may be more personally invested in this cause than ne let on - but it was not Kivik’s place to push nir sibling too far.
oO I’ve done enough damage as it is Oo ne thought.
Jasken: I would…. But I have so much to lose if we did what you’re suggesting.
Kivik: I’m not asking you to take on any personal risks, Jasken. In fact - I’m not asking you to do anything at all. But I want you to be informed about the galactic history of civil liberation. Many worlds, including those which founded the Federation, have histories rife with oppressive regimes who sought to control and demonize members of their populace… but most have moved past such pettiness now. J’naii live in fear - but they don’t have to.
Jasken: If anyone were to do anything, they couldn’t do it alone. Hypothetically, if such a movement were to be successful at all. You need strength in numbers. You failed because you were alone.
Kivik shook nir head. Ne didn’t consider nir work a failure. Publishing had been an act of defiance against a government who sought to censor research into gender - but Kivik had published anyways. The costs, while high, were worth it. Science was a foundation upon which policy could be built or changed. One paper that got it right was worth a storm of trouble.
Kivik: I never saw my research as part of some revolution, you know. I just did the work and shared my findings. I knew the government wouldn’t be happy about it - but if it can inspire hope or courage in one person, then it wasn’t a failure.
Jasken: If you want your movement to be successful, you will need more people. Alone, they could arrest one person. Take them away for reprogramming or worse. But in numbers…. Kivik, this is dangerous. The fact that I’m even entertaining this and you is dangerous. We’re just two people.
That was a hint of fear in Jasken’s voice. Kivik understood.
Kivik: ::Standing:: Will you walk with me? Perhaps we could talk more freely in the Pella Gardens?
Jasken: Response.
The two J’naii strolled together, walking slowly and casually to avoid rousing any attention. To an unfamiliar onlooker, they would look almost like twins. They were of a similar stature and build, shared a nose and eyes and hair of the same quality and colour. But within, they were different and these differences - thought Kivik - were what made their relationship so special. Total homogeny would be the eventual death of J’naii culture.
As they reached the gardens and began walking between the tightly-woven rows of Pella, Kivik spoke again.
Kivik: Jasken, I haven’t long to stay. I’ve been reassigned to the Delta Quadrant and I won’t be able to visit you or J’naii as much as I would wish - even if the political situation were different. But I’d like to leave behind some hope for the future.
Jasken: Response.
Kivik: Humanoid species throughout the galaxy seem to share a common fear of the unknown, the unfamiliar. Centuries ago, the J’naii would have cowered in fear at the thought of alien beings visiting our world - or trembled to think of the awesome power of a starship. Only decades ago, our own southern continent was deemed inhospitable - but you and I are proof that J’naii can live there as well. We are capable of conquering our own fears.
Jasken: Response.
Kivik: People need to see gender expression in a more public, less shameful, way. Many members of government may not enjoy interacting with alien species who express themselves this way - but even they can’t deny the technological and economic benefits that will come from greater interaction. From this, will come media and cultural artifacts that show gender as normal. That normalcy has a great power of persuasion.
It was Autumn in the Wentaii region and already the Pella blossoms were beginning to turn from dusky pink to a deep fiery orange colour. As they did, they leapt off their stems and went twirling through the air - some falling to the ground below and nourishing the soil where the vines grew - and others carried on the breeze to some faraway place to fall and seed. This diversity had allowed the fragrant vines to succeed, even in difficult terrain.
Jasken: Response
Kivik: The mere-exposure effect, Jasken. It’s a psychological phenomena - the more we are exposed to something, the more we tend to appreciate them. Our society forces those it deems ‘deviant’ into hiding or worse, tries to erase them entirely. It’s no wonder people are scared and confused. But the government can’t do that to members of the Federation.
Jasken: Response
The J’naii paused beside a small fountain. Kivik turned to look at Jasken and placed a hand on nir shoulder.
Kivik: I can’t promise anything. I’m just an Ensign. But if members of the J’naii world government were to suggest furthering trade or scientific relationships with the Federation - strengthening ties - that would be a good place to start.
Jasken: Response
Kivik: Change won't happen overnight - but it can happen.
Jasken: Response
TBC